LIVERPOOL vs MAN CITY
Sunday 10th March, 3:45pm
Liverpool @ 15/8
Draw @ 14/5
Man City @ 13/10
view odds
In 1953, almost 71 years ago to the day, the 25th Academy Awards took place. On that evening, the prize for Best Picture was won by Cecil B. DeMille’s Charlton Heston-starring circus epic, The Greatest Show On Earth.
The title and aesthetic of that film were used by SKY Sports as the basis of their advertising campaign to hype the start of the 2023/24 Premier League jamboree back in July. And I think it is fair to say that this season is largely delivering on this bold claim. Pots of goals, controversy, slapstick calamity; and the three-ring circus at the top of the table remains impeccably choreographed as we head into Gameweek 28.
So while there will be numerous clenched, surgically-adjusted buttocks in Hollywood this weekend – as movie greats await the results of the 96th Academy Awards – the posterior tension on Merseyside will be similarly squeaky; as two of the three title challengers come face-to-face in a crucial collision.
The gold ‘Liverpool v Manchester City Super Sunday’ envelope will be opened at 3:45pm.
Though no doubt polished and plucked to the highest standard, the stars of LA must still look-on enviously at the floodlit radiance of Jürgen Klopp’s dental work. Almost as impressive is the way he has quickly introduced a wave of elite young talent into his starting XI; who will ensure that his footprints will be visible in the Anfield turf long after he has gone.
Arsenal, meanwhile, after winning their last match by a tennis score, may sense another opportunity to plump-up their goal-difference on Saturday against Brentford. Currently 6 goals better-off than Liverpool, and 10 goals better-off than Manchester City; this buffer could become increasingly valuable in the coming weeks.
Another interesting fact about the film The Greatest Show On Earth is that, despite being used by SKY Sports last year, its cultural legacy is relatively limited. Nobody knows the story; nobody can quote lines from it; nobody can hum the score. The film is also frequently cited as one of the worst to ever win a Best Picture Oscar.
More critically regarded, and much more influential, is the tense Gary Cooper-led ‘real-time’ Western: High Noon – nominated in 1953, but failed to win. Another film released that year, which is now celebrated as one of the greatest ever made, and one that didn’t even receive a nomination for Best Picture, is Singin’ In The Rain.
Now, the Oscars have never been the most reliable guide for spotting enduring cinematic quality; but I think they can be useful for marking the difference between winning, and creating a legacy that will be remembered for decades. Because you don’t necessarily need to win a shiny prize in order to achieve the latter.
Let’s take a look at the Premier League title race and analyse the narratives that underpin the respective title charges of the top three.
Arsenal: 20 years since they last triumphed; a young manager who has come close to being sacked; and a team desperately looking for redemption after faltering late-doors last season.
Liverpool: only one top division win in 35 years; a win which was muted due to pandemic restrictions; and a potential last hurrah for a beloved, departing managerial talisman.
And Manchester City? Post-treble? Well, it would simply be another bauble to throw on the pile. A win, but not one that would live long in the memory; bereft of an enduring cultural footprint. In fact, the only way this story would ever get made into a movie is if they make it themselves.
Which is, of course, exactly what they have just done – TOGETHER: TR3BLE WINNERS, an account of last season’s triptych of big victories, lands on Netflix in April. Could this film also be The Greatest Show On Earth? Perhaps. But only in the sense that it will be quickly forgotten about…
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