The Answer Talk David Moyes, Coutinho's Growing Reputation and the Anfield Rap

“I think as musicians we blocked that one out at an early stage. It was a different stage of our careers, we took it on board."

“The first couple of albums we were heavily influenced by the Anfield Rap, but like all good artists you depart from your original path. But thank you very much, John Barnes.”

To paraphrase the old saying: Ask a silly question, get a somewhat sarcastic response.

Cormac Neeson, lead singer of rock band The Answer, may point to Barnes’ second goal against Manchester United in 1990 as the moment he became an ardent Liverpool supporter. But apparently the winger’s 1988 musical high point (or that guest feature on "World in Motion") did not do quite as much to influence his band’s future musical direction.

The four-piece from Northern Ireland dropped by Bleacher Report’s London office last week to talk all things football, and with club allegiances split between Liverpool and Manchester United, there was plenty of ground to cover.

Intriguingly enough, it was the Liverpool fans feeling most optimistic about the season ahead—although, considering they were speaking prior to Tuesday’s Capital Cup exit at Old Trafford, they might be feeling slightly different now.

Neeson and bass guitarist Micky Waters both remember Liverpool’s late-80s heyday and believe good times are around the corner for Brendan Rodgers’ new-look side.

“We’re getting used to life on top!” Neeson told Bleacher Report UK. “It’s great."

“There have been some great signings. [Philippe] Coutinho is shaping up to be an Anfield legend. It was great to see at the Liverpool-United game [in the league] three players in the stands, not yet signed but waiting to come in."

“In comparison to last year where you were kind of going … ‘Erm, who’s going to score goals?!’”

Waters adds: “I’m going to buy a [Victor] Moses shirt after this!”

Rodgers faces a potential selection headache when Luis Suarez returns from suspension, but Neeson believes he knows the solution—and it does not involve dislodging Daniel Sturridge from his leading role.

“I think he [Suarez] needs to be put out on the wing,” Neeson added. “There’s no point messing with Daniel’s vein [of form] right now."

“If he continues scoring a goal every game it’ll be hard to shift him. But it’s a good problem to have.”

As for United, guitarist Paul Mahon is confident they can defend their Premier League title—having been impressed by David Moyes’ early handling of Old Trafford issues.

“[Moyes’ start] has been up and down, but he hasn’t shied away from stuff,” Mahon said. “I don’t think the transfer stuff was all his fault, and it was good to see him reprimand Ashley Young [for diving], so he’s shown he’s going to walk it like he talks it.”

Not that Neeson is as confident of United’s chances in the final reckoning: “It’s going to be Liverpool one, Spurs two, Arsenal three ... and maybe Man United a cheeky fourth!”

Considering the band’s members all grew up within miles of each other in Northern Ireland, it is interesting that they ended up supporting different sides. The explanation apparently is not that complex.

“I think I was a Liverpool fan from as soon as I was old enough to be bullied,” Neeson reflects, allowing Waters to explain.

“At primary school there was one tough guy who supported Liverpool and another tough guy [who supported Manchester United], and you had to choose sides,” he reveals.

“You thought, ‘Who would win a fight … I think this guy, so I’ll go with him.' And my guy was Liverpool.”

Since then it has been Liverpool through-and-through for the duo, with both citing the 2005 Champions League final as a particularly high point.

“That really got the blood going,” Walters notes.

The older legends remain revered, however. Offered £20,000 (purely hypothetically, B/R UK’s budget does not stretch that far just yet) to sport a Terry McDermott perm throughout the band’s forthcoming European tour, Neeson does not hesitate in calling the bluff.

“Oh yeah—I’d do it for £20!” he says. “I’d wear a shirt on stage with ‘McDermott’ on the back!”

It's a big statement to make, considering the band—who have previously supported AC/DC—are all set to perform songs from their new album, aptly-titled "New Horizon," in 40 different cities. 

Mahon, however, proves similarly dedicated to his team—the band hopes to collect football shirts from all the cities it plays—saying he would prefer to be stuck in a lift with Fergie (the former United manager) than Fergie (of Black Eyed Peas fame).

“I’d ask him about throwing the boot at Beckham,” he muses. “Why he didn’t do it a bit harder?!”

And with that, all that was left was to take on the band at table football. Find out how we got on in the video below.

The Answer’s new album, "New Horizon," is out on September 30. Their European tour begins on October 11.