Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham all feature in a list that tells the story of some of the most agonising near-misses in Premier League history.
Accumulating points is not always enough in the Premier League. These are the ten sides who came closest without ever lifting the trophy.
1. Liverpool 2018-19 – 97 points The highest points total ever recorded by a side that did not win the Premier League. Liverpool lost just once all season and still finished a single point behind Manchester City. One of the most cruel near-misses in English football history.
2. Liverpool 2021-22 – 92 points Liverpool lost just two games all season, won both domestic cups and reached the Champions League final – yet still finished as runners-up. Manchester City pipped them by one point on a dramatic final day. Ninety-two points and still not enough.
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3. Arsenal 2023-24 – 89 points Arsenal set a club record of 28 league wins and finished two points behind champions Manchester City. The second consecutive season Arteta’s side pushed City all the way and came up short.
4. Manchester United 2011-12 – 89 points United matched City’s points total but lost the title on goal difference – the only time in Premier League history the title has been decided that way. Aguero’s stoppage-time winner against QPR on the final day is the stuff of legend.
5. Manchester United 1994-95 – 88 points (42 games) United finished a single point behind Blackburn despite 88 points across 42 games. On the final day Blackburn lost at Liverpool while United drew at West Ham. The title went to Ewood Park regardless.
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6. Liverpool 2008-09 – 86 points Rafa Benitez’s side lost just twice and recorded a famous 4-1 win at Old Trafford, yet finished four points behind Manchester United. Costly home draws against lesser sides proved the difference.
7. Tottenham 2016-17 – 86 points Pochettino’s Spurs produced some of the finest football the league had seen, finishing on 86 points – a tally that would have won the title in 11 previous seasons. Chelsea won it by seven points.
8. Manchester United 2009-10 – 85 points United finished second to Chelsea despite losing just six games all season. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were simply relentless, scoring 103 goals on their way to the double.
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9. Liverpool 2013-14 – 84 points Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling made Liverpool the most exciting side in the country. Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea and a 3-3 collapse against Crystal Palace from 3-0 up cost them dearly. City were champions by two points.
10. Arsenal 2022-23 – 84 points Arsenal led the league for much of the season before City’s second-half surge ended their hopes. Eighty-four points and five behind the champions – a total that would have won the title in nine of the previous 31 seasons.
Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble
