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Despite Manchester United's dominance in the Premier League era, Liverpool remain English football's greatest side - according to one study, at least.

Taking the finishing position of every football league club in each season since the league was expanded to 92 sides in 1958, the Reds remain as the No 1 side, via a process of averaging each team's finishing positions.

The club which finished top of English football were awarded a score of 1, while the side to have finished bottom of the pile were scored 92.

And coming out on top - with the lowest score - were the five-time European champions, Liverpool.

Since the 1958-59 campaign, the Reds have consistently been the best team to feature in the football league, with an average finishing place of 4.96.

That is better than United, who finish in second with an average score of 5.27.

A key part of Liverpool's success has been a rather stingy defence. No side has conceded fewer goals during the period.

In terms of points won, however, United just edge it, winning 3602 during the 55-year period, 61 more than their north west rivals.

As such, the Red Devils have a greater average points total - 65.49, compared to Liverpool's 64.38 - whilst they are also the top scorers, with 3950 goals to their name.

Elsewhere, the likes of Arsenal, Spurs, Everton and Chelsea complete the top six, while West Ham, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle round off the top 10.

At the bottom of the table - only those who have been members of the football league each season have been included - sit Rochdale, with an average league position of 79.6.

Northampton Town, Crewe Alexandra, Scunthorpe and Chesterfield make up the bottom five.