As 2024 comes to a close, Liverpool is closing in on securing the Premier League title, while Manchester City and Manchester United have had a dismal first half of the season.
This season has brought surprises, with Nottingham Forest making an incredible rise to second place while United and Tottenham struggle in the lower half of the standings.
We examine five key insights at the season’s midpoint for the 2024/25 campaign:
Liverpool Thrive Without Klopp
After nearly nine years leading Liverpool and earning iconic status by winning the Premier League and Champions League, Jurgen Klopp’s emotional exit initially dampened hopes for a title challenge this season. However, Klopp successfully revitalized his squad before handing over the management to Arne Slot, who made an almost perfect start.
The former Feyenoord manager has triumphed in 23 out of 27 matches, maintaining a flawless record in the Champions League and advancing to the League Cup semi-finals.
Mohamed Salah has been instrumental, with 17 goals and 13 assists in 18 Premier League matches. Speculations about the futures of Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk, and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of whom are out of contract at the season’s end, have not hindered Liverpool’s impressive form.
Arsenal, trailing by nine points, seem to be their main rivals, but Liverpool is well on track to equal Manchester United’s record of 20 titles in the top English league by May.
City’s Decline from the Top
City’s alarming record of just two wins in their last 14 matches has dominated the narrative this season, with Pep Guardiola conceding that their streak of four consecutive titles will not extend to a fifth.
The reigning champions sit 14 points behind the leaders in sixth place, and they appear to require significant changes to reclaim their past success.
“In certain areas, we require assistance,” Guardiola stated following Sunday’s 2-0 win against Leicester, which ended a troubling eight-match winless run away from home.
The critical loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a season-ending knee injury in September has been central to City’s downfall, alongside a defensive lineup ravaged by injuries. Now, they struggle to maintain their 14-year streak of qualifying for the Champions League.
Forest Stands out as the Surprise Team
Nottingham Forest, having just survived relegation on the final day of last season, is now enjoying a remarkable campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Notable victories at Anfield and Old Trafford have highlighted their journey as the two-time European champions aim to return to the Champions League for the first time in 45 years. Only Arsenal and Liverpool have allowed fewer goals, while experienced New Zealand striker Chris Wood joins Salah, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, and Alexander Isak in the race for the Golden Boot.
The difficulties faced by traditional giants have also opened opportunities for other surprising candidates for European competition, with Bournemouth in sixth place and Fulham in eighth.
Man Utd Hit a New Low
Significant changes have occurred at Old Trafford over the past year, yet the results continue deteriorating.
Following acquiring a minority stake in the club, Jim Ratcliffe has instituted a new sporting structure behind the scenes, dismissed manager Erik ten Hag, and overseen another costly transfer market period.
United’s eighth-place finish last season marked their worst position in 34 years. Following 19 matches, they rank 14th and are closer to the relegation zone than the top four, with only seven points distinguishing them from the bottom three.
United has suffered four consecutive defeats across all competitions and has lost five of their last six league games, including three straight losses at home.
Since joining Sporting Lisbon, Ruben Amorim has secured only two league victories, marking the poorest start for any new United manager in nearly a century.
Promoted Teams in Jeopardy.
For just the second time in Premier League history, all three promoted teams were relegated last season. This situation seems likely to recur, with Southampton, Ipswich, and Leicester positioned in the bottom three as the year concludes.
The trend highlights concern about the widening gap between the Premier League, renowned for its highly profitable TV revenue, and the second-tier Championship.
Southampton’s tally of six points is on track to surpass Derby’s unwanted record from the 2007/08 season as the lowest total in Premier League history.
