In the grand history of English football, Liverpool and Manchester United have stood apart as giants of the English game. Before the advent of the English Premier League (EPL) in 1992, Liverpool was considered to be the most successful English football club of all time, with 18 titles.
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That perception was shifted towards United in the EPL era, as Manchester United won a remarkable 13 titles. This ultimately meant that United were “top of the heap” in English football, with 20 titles. However, with Liverpool having claimed its 20th title with its 2024/2025 EPL title win, it has now “returned to its perch”, sharing 20 top-flight English titles with United.
Here's the story of how Liverpool got there and United faded away:
Liverpool’s First Reign
In the pre-EPL era, under legendary managers such as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, and Joe Fagan, and thanks to world-class players such as Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Bruce Grobbelaar, Phil Thompson, Alan Hansen, and Steve Nicol, the Reds carved out a golden era of dominance. By 1990, Liverpool had amassed 18 First Division titles, making them the most successful club in English football at the time. Their style of play, winning mentality, and European successes made Anfield the epicentre of English footballing power. However, the dawn of the Premier League in 1992 marked a turning point, not just for English football but for Liverpool’s domestic dominance.
Manchester United's Ascendancy
While Liverpool remained competitive during the EPL era, its previous dominance was diminished. Increased professionalism and a significant financial outlay by other clubs made the top=flight league much more competitive, while Liverpool could not match its former glory.
Simultaneously, Manchester United, under the indomitable Sir Alex Ferguson, and a host of world-class players such as Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes, Peter Schmeichel, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, began its meteoric rise.
Between 1993 and 2013, Manchester United captured 13 Premier League titles, adding to their 7 pre-Premier League First Division titles, thus reaching a historic total of 20 top-flight titles. By the time Ferguson retired in 2013, United had firmly claimed the title of England’s most successful football club. In doing so, Ferguson famously declared that his mission was to "knock Liverpool off their perch" — and by all metrics, he succeeded.
Liverpool’s Return to Glory
For years, Liverpool fans watched as their historic lead slipped away. While the team remained a major force in Europe, domestic success proved elusive. All that changed with the arrival of German manager Jürgen Klopp.
Klopp’s high-octane football, tactical genius, and emotional connection with the club reinvigorated Liverpool. After finishing as runners-up in 2018–19 season with an astonishing 97 points, the Reds stormed the 2019–20 season, winning its first ever EPL title — and their 19th top-flight title overall — in dominant fashion. It was a return to glory, three decades in the making.
A City Interlude
Liverpool’s dreams of matching its former glory and going on a run that would rival United under Ferguson were halted by Manchester City’s rise to dominance. Under Pep Guardiola, City won an astonishing 4 EPL titles in a row, arguably even exceeding United’s supremacy under Ferguson.
Return to its Perch
After Klopp left at the end of the 2023/2024 season, there weren’t great expectations that Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot, could immediately replicate Klopp’s success. Slot proved his worth though, as he managed Liverpool to a 20th league title, finishing the 2024/25 campaign on 84 points, ahead of Arsenal's 74 in the Premier League standings, bringing them level with Manchester United once more. As Liverpool achieved this milestone, United endured one of its worst seasons ever, finishing in 15th position.
As Reds fans celebrated, in the eyes of many fans, Liverpool had truly “returned to its perch” — reclaiming its place at the top of English football’s historical hierarchy.
A Rivalry Unlike Any Other
The argument of whether United or Liverpool should be regarded as the top English football club of all time rages on. What’s not in doubt is that Liverpool and Manchester United stand tied at the summit — 20 league titles apiece — their legacies intertwined.
As the next era of Premier League football unfolds, the question remains: who will be the first to 21? In the current status quo, Liverpool is likely to get there first, but United will likely return to the summit again. As these two teams strive to cement their status as top dogs in English football, you can continue being a winner by betting on a range of football matches at www.gbets.co.za. Get Your Game On!