Everyone will have their opinion on Liverpool, the city, its people, its football clubs. I can only speak as I find. I grew up in Chester and it was a big event as a nine-year-old to go with my dad to Anfield. I'd enter at the juniors' turnstile and meet my old man by a small wall about halfway down the Kop.
If I needed to go to the toilet at the back I'd be carried over people's heads, one by one, until I got to the loo, and they'd then send me back the same way.
Looking back, it should have been intimidating for a kid temporarily on his own surrounded by thousands of football fans, but it wasn't because of those supporters.
They were warm, friendly, everyone helped each other. Even in the pub before games they'd share a joke with me, make me feel part of it.
Liverpool fans in general are warm and friendly, and they have been supportive in tough times
Playing for Liverpool later on only confirmed what I thought of the Scousers. It was like you were a member of the family and always would be.
The fans were supportive in difficult spells, the feedback I still get if I go up there now is humbling.
Before I'm accused of idealising Liverpool fans, I know there are aggressive ones like at any club. But I can only tell you how I felt about them then, and still do today.
Liverpool could return to the top of the Premier League on Sunday if they beat Fulham. They have a great chance of being champions for the first time since 1990 yet many of their fans will feel the world wants them to lose out again, and that those neutrals prefer Manchester City.
I can understand why they would think like that — but I don't agree. There is a lot more goodwill towards Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool up and down the country than they realise.
Once I was part of that north-west rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, which is so intense it seems to colour everything.
But now I live in the south and travel to all parts of the country working, I have a broader overview, and can assure the people of Liverpool that perceptions of their city have changed, particularly with the younger generation, and the football club is admired because of what Klopp has done.
It's not the same situation as the Nineties when Kevin
