Phil Thompson believes Premier League fans fear another period of Liverpool dominance would be ushered in if they end their long wait for the title this season.
Jurgen Klopp's side are in the midst of Liverpool's strongest title challenge since they were last crowned champions of England 29 years ago, and Thompson believes their rivals are concerned.
"A lot of fans are worried about the cycle coming around again, not just Manchester United," Thompson told Sky Sports News.
"They are frightened. That's why they are starting to get nervous of Liverpool winning the Premier League again.
"A lot of people don't want it like the 70s and 80s again and a lot of people wouldn't want Manchester United to do it again."
Liverpool can strengthen their title challenge with victory at Manchester United on Renault Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Before Sunday's trip to Old Trafford, Liverpool host Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16, a competition they finished runners-up in last season.
The importance of the Champions League versus the Premier League has been the subject of debate, but Thompson insists the league it the ultimate priority.
"It's been far too long," he added. "The Premier League has become the holy grail and maybe even the burden for too many years.
"But it would be the pinnacle and if Jurgen Klopp was able to pull it off in these days of the big money Manchester City and Chelsea have thrown at it, it would be quite unbelievable.
"Yes, we got to the Champions League final last year - we didn't win, but what a wonderful occasion it was - and we remember 2005, but give me, and most Liverpool fans, the Premier League any day."
Liverpool and Bayern meet in the European Cup for the first time since the Reds' successful campaign in 1981, and Thompson expects the new age of Liverpool supporters to produce another memorable night at Anfield.
He said: "It's quite extraordinary what this new support is at Liverpool. People say it's like the olden days, but this is new support, this is social media driven, and we've seen what Liverpool fans can do at the big games.
"Last season at the Manchester City game, the Roma game, the fans can make a real big difference and the most experience players have succumbed at Anfield. The players have to turn up and so do the fans and make it a raucous atmosphere.
"This is going to be one of those great nights at Anfield, we've had it in the past and it will be like that tomorrow night."