How many times have Liverpool won the Premier League?

Liverpool Football Club's quest for Premier League glory lasted for nearly three decades and while it was filled with heartbreak, it is officially a tale of success after they lifted the title in 2020.

After several near misses, it seemed as if the Reds were fated to wait even longer for their first title since the First Division was rebranded to the Premier League in 1992.

However, the narrative began to shift with the arrival of Jurgen Klopp in October 2015 as the Reds woke up from a deep slumber to return as European giants. Under the German, Liverpool have won four major trophies as well as the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the FA Community Shield.

Klopp injected a renewed sense of belief, melding a philosophy of heavy metal football with a never-say-die attitude.

Under his guidance, Liverpool truly went from doubters to believers.

How many times have Liverpool won the Premier League title?

Liverpool have won the Premier League title once, during the 2019/2020 season.

They ended the 38-game season with a total of 99 points after going 25 points clear of second-placed Manchester City before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the season to be temporarily put on hold.

The Premier League restarted in what was dubbed 'Project Restart.'

To clinch the title, Liverpool beat Chelsea 5-3 at Anfield to mathematically win the league with seven games to spare - a new Premier League record that might not be beaten any time soon.

This victory ended a 30-year wait for the top-flight league title, marking a colossal moment in the club's history.It put years of heartache and ridicule to rest for Liverpool supporters and ushered in a new era at Anfield.

Prior to the Premier League era, Liverpool had won the English First Division (the predecessor to the Premier League) 18 times. Therefore, the total tally of top-flight league titles in the Liverpool trophy cabinet stands at 19.

Manchester United are the leading league champions of all time in England with 20 titles but given the trajectories of both clubs, it seems likely Liverpool will catch up before the Red Devils can win their next league title.

Winning the 2020 Premier League title took Liverpool's trophy count in the last 20 years to five before they added the 2022 Carabao Cup and FA Cup to their tally to take it to seven.

The rest of this season will determine if that total increases before Jurgen Klopp is replaced as Liverpool manager.

History of Liverpool's Premier League title near misses

Liverpool's journey in the Premier League era has been characterised by a series of near misses that have both defined and refined their quest for the 'Holy Grail' of trophies for English clubs.

Before the triumphant 2019/2020 season, and even after, the Reds have experienced moments where they came tantalisingly close to glory, only to fall just short.

These seasons are etched in the memories of fans, serving as reminders of what could have been and fueling the ambition for future successes.

1996/97 Season: The First Heartbreak

Under the management of Roy Evans, Liverpool finished the 1996-97 season in fourth place, but it was a season where they were very much in the title race until the final weeks.

The team, featuring Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, and a young Jamie Carragher, showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short, finishing seven points behind champions Manchester United.

2001/02 Season: Houllier's Hope

Gerard Houllier's rebuilt Liverpool side, inspired by the likes of Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, and Sami Hyypiä, finished second in the 2001/02 season.

They were genuine title contenders, playing with a blend of tactical discipline and attacking flair. However, Arsenal's late surge saw the Reds end the campaign seven points adrift of the top spot.

Despite boasting a better defence than the Gunners, Liverpool were unable to match them in an attacking sense and ultimately lost three games more.

2008/09 Season: Benitez On The Brink

The 2008/09 season under Rafael Benitez is remembered for the intense rivalry with Manchester United. Liverpool, led by the formidable trio of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, and Xabi Alonso, mounted a serious challenge, finishing with 86 points.

However, despite memorable victories, including a 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford, they finished second, four points behind United.

Too many draws cost the Reds as the were held to a stalemate 11 times - five more than United. In the end, Liverpool were to miss out on another league title.

2013/14 Season: Heartbreak

I won't include that photo to avoid triggering any recovering Liverpool fans from the 2014 trauma that was the narrative around Steven Gerrard slipping against Chelsea.

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching of Liverpool's near misses came in the 2013/14 season under Brendan Rodgers. The dynamic attacking trio of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, and Raheem Sterling had Liverpool dreaming of a first title in 24 years.

Infamously marked by Gerrard's slip against Chelsea, Liverpool's campaign unravelled in the final weeks, and they finished two points behind Manchester City.

The 13/14 season remains my biggest football heartbreak and unless something truly unfortunate happens at Liverpool in the future, I can't see it being topped either.

2018/19 Season: A Point Short

The season before their triumph, Liverpool, now under Jurgen Klopp, mounted one of the most formidable title challenges in Premier League history.

They amassed an incredible 97 points, losing just once all season. However, in a testament to the league's competitiveness, Manchester City finished a mere point ahead, leaving Liverpool as runners-up in one of the closest title races ever.

The 18/19 Premier League was a truly historic season. It was a season defined by the finest of margins Liverpool saw the ball come within millimetres of crossing the line against City before suffering eventual defeat.

Liverpool Win The Premier League in 2019/20

Despite finishing second with 97 points in 2019, Liverpool didn't accept defeat and pushed into a higher gear the following season, winning the title with 99 points.

Jurgen Klopp has etched his name into Liverpool history with his work at Anfield but his greatest achievement is restoring the belief to the Kop.

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino topped the Liverpool goalscoring charts with a combined total of

2021/22 Season: A Point Short (again)

The 2021/22 Premier League season was a thrilling rollercoaster that culminated in another Man City title at the expense of Liverpool on the final day of the season.

Despite Aston Villa racing into a two-goal lead at the Etihad with Steven Gerrard at the hem, Liverpool were unable to lift the title in dramatic fashion as Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne inspired a comeback to win the game and the title at 3-2.

Liverpool finished the season in second despite amassing 92 points.

The 2019/20 Season: Ending the 30-Year Wait

The 2019/2020 Premier League season will forever be etched Liverpool's history books, marking the end of a three-decade wait for the league title.

Under the management of Klopp, Liverpool not only clinched their first Premier League title but did so in a manner that captivated football fans worldwide.

Let's dive into the key figures and players in one of the most memorable seasons in the club's long history.

Key figures behind Jurgen Klopp's heroic title win

Liverpool did what very few have done in the Premier League era by breaking the 90-point mark on their way to glory. This time, Manchester City could do nothing to stop them, finishing 18 points behind, and losing 9 games in the process.

But, let's look at the heroes that season:

• Jürgen Klopp: The German manager's philosophy and tactics were instrumental in Liverpool's success. His emphasis on high-pressing, quick transitions, and a positive team spirit transformed Liverpool into one of Europe's most formidable sides. Focusing on ball retention when in winning positions allowed Liverpool to ensure they reached 99 points seemingly without fuss.
• Jordan Henderson: The captain's leadership on and off the pitch was invaluable. Henderson's work rate, discipline, and ability to motivate his teammates played a crucial role in maintaining the team's focus and drive.
• Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian forward continued his remarkable scoring form, contributing crucial goals and assists. Salah's pace, skill, and finishing ability made him a constant threat to opposition defences, contributing 19 goals and 10 assists.
• Sadio Mané: The Senegalese winger was another key component of Liverpool's attacking prowess. His speed, work ethic, and clutch goals were instrumental in securing vital wins throughout the season. Mane was arguably the most important attacker that season, scoring 22 goals to go along with his 12 assists.
• Virgil van Dijk: The Dutch centre-back's presence in defence brought stability and confidence. Virgil's leadership, aerial dominance, and composure under pressure were foundational to Liverpool's defensive record and it seems difficult to imagine a lot of the success the Reds have had over the last six years without him.
• Alisson Becker: The Brazilian goalkeeper's shot-stopping ability, command of his area, and quick distribution contributed significantly to Liverpool's solid defensive performances. Without Alisson's world-class 1v1 shot-stopping, the Reds surely would have conceded more than the 33 goals they did.

It seems unfair to highlight only a few of the players from the squad that delivered the title but for a more in-depth review of the key players during the 2020 title triumph, you can read more here.

Stats from Liverpool's maiden Premier League title win

The 2019/2020 season was a testament to Liverpool's quality, resilience, and team spirit.

• Points: Liverpool amassed a staggering 99 points over the course of the season, finishing 18 points clear of second-placed Manchester City. This points tally is the second-highest in Premier League history.
• 38-Game Kings: Over the course of a 38-game stretch, Liverpool tallied more points (104) than any other team in Premier League history. 
• Wins: The Reds secured 32 wins from 38 matches, equaling the record for the most wins in a Premier League season at the time.
• With Games To Spare: Liverpool win the 19/20 Premier League title with seven games to spare which means they won the trophy faster than any other team in history. And for all the naysayers out there, they were already 25 points clear of Manchester City when the government ordered a lockdown due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
• Home Record: Anfield remained a fortress throughout the season, with Liverpool winning all 19 home games, showcasing their dominance on home soil. They also set the record for the most successive home league wins (24), breaking their own record of 21.
• Goals Scored: Liverpool found the back of the net 85 times, boasting the second-highest goal tally in the league. Their attacking play was characterized by fluidity, creativity, and ruthless efficiency.
• Defensive Record: The team conceded just 33 goals, the fewest in the Premier League, underscoring their defensive solidity. Alisson Becker also kept 15 clean sheets, securing the Golden Glove award.
• Winning Streak: Liverpool achieved a record-equaling 18 consecutive Premier League wins, highlighting their consistency and mental strength throughout the campaign.
• The Best Ever: With 26 wins and a draw from their first 27 games for a total of 79 out of 81 points, Liverpool recorded the best-ever start to a league season in any of Europe's top five leagues. THAT IS INCREDIBLE. They also reached 30 league wins faster than any top-flight English team has in history.

How many league titles do Liverpool have overall?

As of the 2019/2020 season, Liverpool has clinched 19 league titles, a monumental achievement that underscores their historical dominance in English football.

This record places them second on the all-time list of most league titles won in English football, just behind Manchester United 20).

30 years without a league title and Liverpool still have the second-most in English football 

The 30-year wait for a league title, stretching from 1990 until 2020, was a period filled with near misses, heartbreak, and ultimately, redemption.

Despite this lengthy hiatus from the top of English football, Liverpool maintained their position as one of the country's most successful clubs.

This three-decade drought saw Liverpool come agonisingly close to the title on several occasions, most notably in the 2013/2014 and 2018/2019 seasons. During this period, Liverpool's status in English and European football was kept afloat by their successes in other competitions, including winning the UEFA Champions League in 2005 and 2019, the UEFA Cup, and numerous domestic cup victories.

These achievements helped preserve Liverpool's rich heritage of success and kept the fanbase hopeful of a return to the pinnacle of English football.

The triumph in the 2019/2020 season was not just a victory but a restoration of Liverpool's historic claim as one of English football's most successful clubs.

It reaffirmed the club's status at the forefront of the game and added a significant chapter to their storied legacy. With 19 league titles to their name, Liverpool's success is a testament to the club's enduring quality and resilience, showcasing their ability to overcome periods of challenge and emerge triumphant.

FAQS

1. How many league titles do Liverpool have?

19. 18 in the First Division titles and one Premier League title.

2. How does Liverpool's Premier League title count compare to other top English clubs?

List of total league titles in history for English clubs:

1. Manchester United (20)
2. Liverpool (19)
3. Arsenal (13)
4. Everton (9)
5. Manchester City (9)
6. Aston Villa (7)
7. Chelsea (6)
8. Sunderland (6)
9. Newcastle United (4)
10. Sheffield Wednesday (4)

3. What was Liverpool's closest margin of victory in a Premier League season?

Considering, they only have one Premier League title so far, the closest any team has finished behind Liverpool during a title-winning season was Manchester City in 2019/20 when they finished 18 points behind Liverpool.

4. How many times have Liverpool finished second in the Premier League era?

Five times.

1. 2001/02: Liverpool finished second behind Arsenal, who won the league.
2. 2008/2009 Season: Liverpool finished second, with Manchester United winning the Premier League
   
3. 2013/2014 Season: Liverpool finished in second place with 84 points, this time behind Manchester City on 86. 
   
4. 2018/2019 Season: Liverpool finished second, narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester City by just one point in a highly competitive race. The Reds amassed 97 points but could not get the job done.
   
5. 2021/22 Season: Liverpool finished second with 92 points. Manchester City won the title on the last day of the season after coming back from two goals to nil to beat Aston Villa 3-2 and clinch the title.
   

Note: These records are for the Premier League only. Liverpool finished second a total of 6 times in the First Division. In 1968/69, 193/74, 1977/78, 1984,85, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1990/91. So in total, Liverpool have finished second in English top-flight history a total of 11 times.