The 2024/25 Premier League Title Race is All But Over

The Premier League title race, which had promised to be a thrilling battle, is now effectively over. After Liverpool’s crucial 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium, coupled with Arsenal’s shock defeat at home to West Ham, the Reds have built an almost insurmountable 11-point lead at the top of the table. With just 12 games remaining, history suggests that it would take an unprecedented collapse for Liverpool to let this slip away.

Liverpool’s Statement Win at the Etihad 

Arne Slot’s Liverpool were under immense pressure heading into their showdown against Manchester City. The defending champions, despite struggling this season, were still seen as potential challengers. However, a professional and dominant performance from Liverpool saw them walk away with a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai. The win not only extended Liverpool’s lead at the top but also delivered a psychological blow to any lingering hopes that City or Arsenal might have had. 

For Pep Guardiola, this defeat was particularly significant. His City side, who have set the standard for Premier League excellence over the past 7-8 years, now find themselves 20 points behind Liverpool. This is the largest gap to a league leader any Guardiola-managed team has ever faced, further highlighting how one-sided the title race has become. 

Arsenal’s Missed Opportunity and Injury Crisis 

Arsenal, who had the chance to cut the gap to five points (with a game in hand), faltered at the worst possible time. A frustrating 1-0 loss at home to West Ham, courtesy of a Jarrod Bowen header, left the Gunners reeling. For all the progress Mikel Arteta’s side has made over the last few seasons, this defeat felt like a symbolic surrender. 

What makes matters worse for Arsenal is their growing injury crisis. With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus all ruled out for at least two weeks, Arsenal’s attacking options have been significantly weakened. Their thin squad depth is being exposed at the worst possible time, and instead of mounting a late charge for the title, they could end up losing further ground. 

A Strange Premier League Season 

This Premier League season has been unlike any in recent memory. Traditional powerhouses like Manchester City, Chelsea, Spurs, and Manchester United have all struggled, leaving Liverpool virtually unchallenged in their charge towards the title. While the Reds have been ruthless, the rest of the so-called ‘Big Six’ have endured campaigns filled with inconsistency, injuries, and underwhelming performances. 

Manchester City, the dominant force of English football in recent years, have hit a wall. Rodri’s long-term ACL injury has robbed Pep Guardiola’s side of their midfield lynchpin, and his absence has exposed cracks that were previously papered over. But beyond injuries, City’s struggles also stem from the sheer exhaustion of winning relentlessly season after season. Fatigue has crept into the squad, and Guardiola himself has hinted that a rebuild is needed to maintain their dominance. For the first time in his managerial career, his team is a staggering 20 points behind the league leaders at this stage of the season—a clear sign that change is necessary. 

Chelsea, despite their never-ending spending spree, remain an enigma. The Blues continue to flounder outside the Champions League spots, showing glimpses of promise but ultimately lacking consistency. Their inability to string together a solid run of form has frustrated fans and raised questions about the long-term vision of the club. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s crisis has deepened under new manager Rúben Amorim. Despite initial hopes that he could steady the ship, the Red Devils remain stuck in the bottom half of the table, plagued by defensive frailties, lackluster performances, and ongoing issues behind the scenes. 

Spurs, who had an exciting start under Ange Postecoglou, have also fallen off the pace. After briefly looking like they could challenge for the title last season, they have suffered a dramatic dip in form and now find themselves in the bottom half. Injuries to key players and defensive weaknesses have seen their early-season promise fade away. With the traditional giants struggling, a new group of challengers has emerged. Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth have capitalized on the chaos, putting themselves in contention for an unlikely Champions League spot. 

Liverpool’s Inevitable Title? 

No team in Premier League history has ever let an 11-point lead slip after 26 games. Unless Liverpool experiences a collapse of historic proportions, Arne Slot is on course to win the league in his very first season in charge. Liverpool’s ability to grind out results, even in tricky away fixtures like the Etihad, demonstrates their resilience.  

Their squad depth, with the likes of Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, and Nunez stepping up, ensures they won’t face the same squad depletion that is currently haunting Arsenal. The Premier League season may still have a few twists and turns left, but as far as the title race is concerned, the script seems to be already written. Liverpool’s lead is simply too big, and unless something truly extraordinary happens, the Reds will soon be lifting the Premier League trophy once again.