In the battle of EPL with most trophies, one name has emerged at the top — yet, it’s not a clean sweep. As of the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, Liverpool FC edges past Manchester United to hold the record for most major honours in English football. Both are titans, but Liverpool’s dominance in Europe and recent domestic success tipped the scale. BraeckBall will take you through the stats, the history, and what makes this rivalry one of the fiercest in world football.
What defines “EPL clubs with most trophies”
Before diving into numbers, let’s clarify what kinds of trophies are counted. Most sources include:
- Domestic league titles (First Division + Premier League)
- FA Cup
- League Cup (Carabao / EFL Cup)
- Community / Charity / Super Cups (sometimes)
- Major European competitions (Champions League / European Cup, Europa League / UEFA Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup, Super Cup)
- World Club honours (FIFA Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup)
Smaller cups or unofficial trophies tend to be excluded or counted differently, depending on the source. But in the tally for “EPL with most trophies”, the focus is on major silverware: those that define legacy.
Head-to-head: Liverpool vs Manchester United by the numbers
Both clubs have hauled in a staggering haul of trophies. Recent updates show:
|
Club |
League Titles |
FA Cups |
League Cups |
European & World Honours |
Approximate Total Major Trophies* |
|
Liverpool |
20 top-flight titles (includes First Division + Premier League) |
8 FA Cups |
10 League Cups et Football) |
Multiple European Cups / Champions Leagues (6), UEFA Cups, Su. |
69-70 major trophies as of mid 2025 |
|
Manchester United |
20 top-flight titles as well |
13 FA Cups |
6 League Cups |
Strong European credentials but fewer than Liverpool in some categories (Champions Leagues, etc.) |
About 68 major trophies as of mid-2025 |
*Exact totals vary depending on which “major” cups are included.
So yes — Liverpool now has the most trophies among EPL clubs, but just barely. United are right on their heels. What puts Liverpool over is a stronger record in European competitions and recent trophy wins that closed the gap.
Why Liverpool pulled ahead
Three key reasons:
- European excellence – Liverpool have more Champions League / European Cup wins than Manchester United in the modern era, among other continental honours. Those carry huge weight.
- Recent domestic success – Liverpool’s 2024-25 EPL title pushed their domestic league tally to 20. That matched United, but because Liverpool had slightly more in Europe and global competition, that helped them pull ahead overall.
- Balance across competitions – Beyond just league titles, Liverpool have been more consistent across FA Cups, League Cups, and European trophies in recent years; this breadth helps in total trophy rankings.
Other clubs in the running
While Liverpool and Manchester United are head and shoulders above the rest in total major trophies, several other EPL clubs have earned plenty of honours to consider. Among them:
- Arsenal – Great success in FA Cups, multiple league titles.
- Chelsea – Especially dominant in the 2000s on both domestic and European fronts.
- Manchester City – Tremendous recentuccess, particularly under Pep Guardiola, stacking up Premier League titles, domestic cups, and some European runs.
None of these have quite caught up to the trophy totals of the Liverpool-United duo yet, but they are closing in fast.
A brief history of the race
- Pre-1992 era (First Division + early European competitions): United and Liverpool both built their trophy cabinets over many decades. Liverpool’s golden eras in the 1970s and 1980s were especially productive.
- Premier League era (since 1992-93): Manchester United dominated much of the 1990s and 2000s; Liverpool had periods of drought in league titles but stayed strong in cups and Europe. In recent years, Liverpool have reasserted themselves both domestically and in Europe.
- Recent tipping point: Liverpool’s title in 2024-25 equalled United’s league titles at 20 each, but combined with Liverpool’s European haul and influence in other competitions, that lifted them ahead in total major trophy count.
Why this matters to fans (and to history)
- Identity and bragging rights: For Liverpool and United fans this isn’t just numbers; it’s legacy. Each trophy is part of culture, pride, history.
- Sway in debates: When people argue “which club has been more successful?”, having the data helps. Liverpool’s recent streak gives fans more to defend their claim.
- Motivation: Records are meant to be broken. United, City, Chelsea etc., all see this as a target to aim at.
How other trophy-types are treated (and controversies)
- Not all trophy lists are equal. Some sources include Community Shields, some don’t. Some count minor regional cups or defunct competitions; others stick strictly to major ones. That can create discrepancies of 1-5 trophies depending on criteria.
- “Major honours” definitions vary: what counts as “major” in one ranking may be excluded in another. E.g., some exclude domestic su.
- Time matters: As clubs keep winning, the totals change. Liverpool overtaking United is recent, so older sources might still list United first.
What the future may hold
- United are not far behind; a strong few seasons (in Europe + domestics) could put them back on top.
- Clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea (if they rebuild well), and Arsenal have the potential to join or challenge for top-three in total trophies if their current momentum continues.
- European success will likely be the difference, as domestic cup silverware is competitive but comparatively easier than Champions League / European trophies.
Conclusion
In the race for EPL with most trophies, Liverpool FC now leads, narrowly outpacing Manchester United. Both clubs share 20 top-flight league titles, but Liverpool’s richer haul in Europe and other major competitions gives them the edge. BraeckBall has laid out the numbers, the history, and the drama — and for any fan wondering who truly reigns as England’s most decorated club, Liverpool has just edged ahead.
Want a full breakdown of trophy counts by all EPL clubs? Or a deep dive into which club is most successful per decade? Let me know — I’m ready to crunch the stats with you.
