The invention is directed to an automotive electrical side-channel liquid pump (10;10'), comprising a pump housing (12) defining a pump chamber (15) with a pump chamber side wall (151;151'), a pump chamber liquid inlet (13), a pump chamber liquid outlet (16) and at least one side-channel (14;14'). The pump (10;10') further comprises a pump wheel (20;20') which is arranged inside the pump chamber (15;15') and which comprises a radial circumferential surface (21;21'), wherein the radial circumferential surface (21;21') of the pump wheel (20;20') and the pump chamber side wall (151;151') together define a low-friction liquid chamber (30) which is fluidically connected to the side-channel (14;14') via a circular sealing gap arrangement (34;34') between the pump wheel (20;20') and the pump housing (12). The low-friction liquid chamber (30;30') reduces the viscous friction between the pump wheel (20;20') and the pump housing (12) so that the automotive electrical side-channel liquid pump (10;10') is in particular suitable for pumping liquids of higher viscosities.