Liverpool

With Sunday's clash between the red halves of Liverpool and Manchester approaching, The18 takes a look at the players fans just love to hate.

If there is one thing that has never been in short supply in the life of Mario Balotelli, it’s haters. The combination of his large personality, perceived arrogance, and talent level means that he is just as likely to piss off an entire stadium as he is to bring it to its feet in celebration. The fact that he lives in the first “hater generation,” as rapper Wale so eloquently put it, doesn’t help. Social media is nothing if not a bastion for ignorant hatred, and of all the celebrities who operate in the space Balotelli probably receives the worst of it.

Memphis Depay is the next great talent to emerge from the Dutch Eredivisie, following in the footsteps of Robben, van Persie and Sneijder. Now Man United and Liverpool are fighting over him.

Suarez, Gerrard, Alonso, and co. squaring off against Henry, Drogba, and Terry. Legends reunited, and we all will get to watch.

Philippe Coutinho has scored some amazing goals this year. In fact, he has only scored amazing goals this year. And that is real cause for concern.

A Liverpool fan posted this goal from Philippe Coutinho on XXX site PornHub, labelled "Pure Filth." And we can't say we disagree.

Everyone loves the Oscars. So what if, instead of film, the ceremony celebrated the one thing that just might be more universal? That’s right, we have created the first ever soccer edition of the Oscars.

While everyone was ready to celebrate the next conquest on the Harry Kane Crusade of World Domination, Mario crashed the party and scored the winning goal in one of the most exciting games of the season.

Sadly for Liverpool fans, the derby showed Steven Gerrard might not have it anymore.

Once again, Brendan Rodgers’s Liverpool squad is unbeaten in the new year as they chase the Champions League places.