The five most successful clubs in English football history

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool lifted their first piece of silverware of the new season on Wednesday night, beating Chelsea 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra-time in Istanbul.

The trophy was the latest to arrive in the Anfield cabinet, but where do the Merseyside club rank in comparison to English football’s most successful sides?

Here are the five most successful clubs in English football history…

Aston Villa 20 (22)

Despite being over two decades since their last major honour, Aston Villa are English football’s fifth most successful side.

The Midlands side have won seven league titles and seven FA Cups, whilst their most recent honour was a fifth League Cup won in 1996.

Their greatest honour is being one of just five English clubs to have been crowned champions of Europe, Peter Withe’s famous goal sealing a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final.

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Chelsea 24 (29)

Roman Abramovich’s billionaire takeover at Stamford Bridge changed Chelsea’s fortunes forever, transforming the West London side from a traditional ‘cup team’ into one of English football’s powerhouses.

16 major honours have been secured since the Russian’s arrival in 2003, the club having enjoyed the most successful period of its history in recent years.

Chelsea’s haul includes six league titles and eight FA Cups, whilst they have also been League Cup winners on five occasions.

The Blues have also made an impression on the European stage, winning two Cup Winner’s Cups pre-Abramovich before becoming the first London side to win the Champions League in 2012.

Their most recent trophy, the 2019 Europa League, takes their tally to 24 major honours.

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Arsenal 30 (45)

Record 13-times winners of the FA Cup, Arsenal are the third most successful side in English football history having also won 13 league titles.

The 1994 UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup and a pair of League Cup trophies contribute to their overall tally of 30 major honours, whilst their most recent league triumph in 2004 is remembered for their famed ‘Invincibles’ unbeaten season.

The North London side also hold the joint-record with Manchester United for most league and FA Cup doubles with three, having most recently achieved the feat in 2002.

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Liverpool 42 (61)

English football’s most successful club in Europe, Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League victory saw them crowned champions of Europe for the sixth time.

Having dominated English football in the 70’s and 80’s, the Merseyside club have also amassed 18 league titles, seven FA Cups and a record eight League Cups.

The club’s roll of honours also includes three UEFA Cups, making it 42 major honours for the Reds.

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Man United 42 (66)

The most successful club in English football, Manchester United having enjoyed two decades of dominance under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scot once famously said he wanted to ‘knock Liverpool right off their f****** perch’ and that he did, amassing 13 titles during the Premier League era to move United into the outright lead on 20 league title wins.

The first English side to win the European Cup, United have been crowned champions of Europe on three occasions including as part of a famous ‘treble’ in 1999, whilst they have also lifted 12 FA Cups and the League Cup five times.

Equal with Liverpool on 42 major honours, their overall list of silverware stands at 66 trophies.

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Major honours include League titles, FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup/Champions League, Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Cup/Europa League, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Brackets is number including Community Shield/Super Cup/Club World Cup/Intercontinental Cup.

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