Like the 80s, Liverpool faces a tough opponent, but now it feels different

The Militant tendency emerged here amid the ravages of economic decline. A new self-confidence is helping the city face its latest test

There's little that's modest about Liverpool. As cities go, it's a glorious show-off - one knockout building after another inviting you to take an admiring look.

Which makes it deeply sad then, unnatural even, to walk along its handsome waterfront - mid-afternoon, late last week - and meet barely a soul to admire the view. The river walk is made for a Liverpudlian passeggiata, for the craic and the lovely thrum of city life. Instead, only the skateboarders were out - Covid-19 with its power to empty our city streets has been a boon for them, if no one else.