When Liverpool Football Club lifted the Premier League trophy on May 18, 2025, the city’s Merseyside fans erupted in a chorus that had been brewing for 30 years. The Reds secured the title with 84 points – 25 wins, nine draws and four defeats – leaving rivals Arsenal Football Club ten points adrift in second place.
Why the final day mattered
Matchday 38 turned the Premier League into a simultaneous drama festival. All twenty clubs took the pitch at the same time, each fighting for European spots, pride, or survival. The stakes were highest for the three newly‑promoted sides, who knew a single slip could send them back to the Championship.
Key results that shaped the table
At Craven Cottage, Manchester City wrapped up the campaign with a tidy 2‑0 win over Fulham, a result that underlined Pep Guardiola’s (Person) knack for finishing strong. Across the north, Bournemouth stunned Leicester City 2‑0, sealing the Foxes’ relegation.
At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal edged Southampton 2‑1, a victory that ensured they stayed in the top‑four but could not dent Liverpool’s lead. Manchester United delivered a 2‑0 triumph over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, confirming a solid finish for the Red Devils.
Stamford Bridge witnessed a narrow 1‑0 win for Chelsea against Nottingham Forest, while Everton pulled off a shock 1‑0 away victory at St. James’ Park, snatching three points from Newcastle United.
West Ham United produced perhaps the day’s most emphatic display, beating Ipswich Town 3‑1 at the London Stadium – a result that helped solidify their European hopes.
Relegation heartbreak and promotion hope
The bottom three spots were occupied by the three clubs that had just earned promotion a season earlier. Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton all went down after a solitary season in the top flight – a rare statistical quirk that marks only the third time in Premier League history all three promoted sides have been relegated together.
Their exits open the door for three fresh faces in the 2025‑26 campaign. Leeds United bounce back after a two‑year hiatus, Burnley clinch an immediate return, and Sunderland break an eight‑year absence, reviving the fierce rivalry of the North East.
Managerial carousel spins
Summer 2025 saw a flurry of high‑profile appointments. On June 6, Tottenham Hotspur dismissed Ange Postecoglou after a brief, albeit promising, spell. Six days later they turned to Brentford’s Thomas Frank, who left his former club to take the Spurs’ helm.
Frank’s vacancy didn’t stay open for long. Brentford appointed Keith Andrews on June 27, 2025, hoping his experience in the Championship would translate to top‑flight success.
The managerial merry‑go‑round rolled into the early weeks of the 2025‑26 season. Nottingham Forest, sitting mid‑table at 10th, sacked Nuno Espírito Santo on September 9, 2025, and paradoxically turned back to Ange Postecoglou – the very manager they had previously let go – as his replacement.
West Ham United mirrored the turbulence in London. After slipping to 19th place, Graham Potter was shown the door on September 27, 2025, and the club appointed Nuno Espírito Santo, swapping his fortunes with Forest in a dramatic managerial swap.
Impact on clubs and fans
For Liverpool, the title not only restores the club’s trophy cabinet but also cements Jürgen Klopp’s (Person) legacy as one of the era’s great builders. Arsenal’s runner‑up finish, while respectable, leaves fans yearning for a title challenge that has been elusive since 2004.
Relegated clubs now face the financial hit of reduced broadcasting revenue and the task of rebuilding squads capable of bouncing back. Conversely, promoted teams will benefit from a £150 million influx of TV money, but must also brace for the intensity of the Premier League’s first‑week sprint.
The managerial reshuffles underscore a broader trend: Premier League clubs are quicker than ever to replace managers, betting on fresh ideas to halt declines or spark upturns. Whether these appointments will bear fruit remains to be seen, but the early season turbulence suggests a league in constant motion.
Key facts
- Liverpool finish with 84 points; Arsenal second with 74.
- Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Southampton relegated after one season.
- Leeds United, Burnley, Sunderland promoted for 2025‑26.
- Tottenham hire Thomas Frank; Brentford hire Keith Andrews.
- Nottingham Forest and West Ham swap Nuno Espírito Santo and Ange Postecoglou in September 2025.
Looking ahead
The 2025‑26 Premier League promises fresh storylines: can the newly promoted trio survive the step up? Will Liverpool sustain their dominance amid growing competition from Manchester City and a rejuvenated Arsenal? And will the managerial merry‑go‑round finally settle into a rhythm that rewards stability over short‑term fixes? Fans will be watching, and the league will continue to deliver the drama that makes English football a global spectacle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Liverpool’s title affect their European campaign?
Winning the Premier League guarantees Liverpool a spot in the UEFA Champions League group stage, ensuring at least eight additional high‑profile matches and a significant boost in broadcast revenue for the 2025‑26 season.
Which clubs are most likely to be relegated next season?
Analysts point to newly promoted sides Sunderland and Burnley as vulnerable, given their modest squads and limited top‑flight experience. Also, West Ham’s poor start under new management puts them at risk.
What impact will the managerial changes have on Tottenham’s style of play?
Thomas Frank brings a possession‑based, high‑pressing philosophy from Brentford, likely shifting Tottenham away from the more direct tactics of the past and aiming for a fluid, attacking setup that could revitalize their Champions League ambitions.
How significant is the promotion of Sunderland after eight years?
Sunderland’s return marks the end of a long spell in the lower divisions, rejuvenating the North East rivalry with Newcastle United and bringing a surge of local economic activity tied to top‑flight matchdays.
What does the triple relegation of promoted clubs indicate about the league’s competitiveness?
It underscores the widening gap between established Premier League sides and newcomers, highlighting the need for promoted clubs to invest heavily in squad depth to survive beyond a single season.
