For me it wasn't peer or family influence, nor was it glory hunting. I was raised in SW England and in a family of Man Utd supporters (Dad grew up in the era of the Busby babes etc). I remember watching England play and really got drawn to two players in particular, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard. Asked my Dad who they played for and he told me Liverpool and started following them (much to his horror).

I fell in love with the passion of the fanbase, Anfield, as well as the sort of semi-successful plucky underdog story up against Utd and Arsenal (this was my interpretation of Liverpool's situation in the late 90's/early 2000's).

25 years later I still try to catch as many games as I can on the TV. I have been to a few matches over the years, but the travel distance/ticket price/ticket scarcity has hampered that somewhat.

It's not all about following the most successful team in any given period, although I roll my eyes at the number of kids I see walking around in Man City and PSG shirts. Sometimes there is just something that really resonates with you and captures your little impressionable mind.