The 2024/25 Premier League season concluded in spectacular fashion, with Liverpool securing the title in Arne Slot’s debut season. This achievement marked a remarkable turnaround for the club, which finished 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, reclaiming their place at the summit of English football after the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool’s championship was sealed at Anfield with a resounding 5-1 victory over Tottenham in late April. This victory secured their 20th league title, further establishing the Reds as the most successful team in the history of English top-flight football. The campaign was defined by Liverpool’s dominance, consistency, and attacking flair under Slot’s guidance.
While Liverpool celebrated, other clubs faced contrasting fortunes. Manchester United and Tottenham endured difficult seasons, far below their traditional standards. Manchester United finished 15th, marking their worst Premier League finish ever, while Tottenham ended the season in 17th place. Both teams suffered numerous losses, with United dropping 18 matches and Spurs losing 22. However, Tottenham’s campaign was salvaged somewhat by their triumph in the UEFA Europa League final, which earned them a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League despite their poor domestic form.
The relegation battle was particularly harsh on the promoted teams. Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton all faced immediate relegation back to the Championship. This marked the second consecutive season in which every newly promoted club failed to survive in the Premier League. Southampton’s season was especially bleak, finishing at the bottom of the table with just 12 points and a staggering -60 goal difference, highlighting their defensive frailties and overall struggles.
Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, finished second for the third consecutive season, but were never able to seriously challenge Liverpool for the title, ending the campaign 10 points behind the champions. Meanwhile, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Chelsea secured the remaining Champions League qualification places, ensuring a high level of competition at the top of the table. Aston Villa, despite their strong season, dropped into the Europa League after a narrow defeat to Manchester United on the final matchday. FA Cup winners Crystal Palace joined Villa in the Europa League, while Nottingham Forest qualified for the newly created UEFA Conference League, reflecting the expanding scope of European club competitions.
Financially, the Premier League continued to dominate as the most lucrative football league globally. Since 2023, total revenue surpassed £6 billion (approximately KSh 960 billion), underscoring the league’s enormous commercial success. Although official figures for the 2024/25 season were yet to be finalized, early estimates indicated that each club earned more than £100 million (about KSh 16 billion). Liverpool led the financial payouts, receiving approximately £181.5 million (around KSh 29.04 billion), followed closely by Arsenal with £177.8 million (approximately KSh 28.448 billion) and Manchester City with £171.5 million (about KSh 27.44 billion).
Even clubs relegated from the Premier League earned substantial sums, a testament to the league’s financial power and its relatively equitable revenue distribution model. The payouts are calculated not only based on final league standings but also on the number of times clubs’ matches are televised domestically and internationally. For example, despite Manchester United’s disappointing 15th-place finish, the club still received the 12th highest payment, amounting to £139.5 million (around KSh 22.32 billion), thanks to their frequent appearances on television.
Each club also received an equal share of around £89 million (approximately KSh 14.24 billion), which was a 2.4% increase from the previous season. This increase was largely driven by rising international broadcast revenues, highlighting the Premier League’s continued global appeal and commercial growth.
The season thus combined thrilling on-field drama with robust financial performance, reinforcing the Premier League’s status as the world’s most popular and profitable football league. Liverpool’s resurgence under Arne Slot, the struggles of traditional giants, and the financial windfall enjoyed by all clubs illustrate the complex and dynamic nature of modern English football.
