<p>The 2024/25 Premier League will have a distinctly southern feel in England. With Burnley and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/sheffield-united-relegated-after-breaking-unwanted-epl-record/">Sheffield United going down</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/southampton-beat-leeds-to-secure-premier-league-promotion/">Leeds failing to win Sunday’s promotion playoffs</a>, just a handful of teams in next season’s competition hail from northern towns and cities in England. In total, there will be five teams from the north. The two Merseyside clubs join the two Manchester clubs and Newcastle United as the northern clubs in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>.</p>



<p>That is the fewest number of teams in Premier League history to come from the north. Furthermore, you would have to go back to the 1989/90 First Division campaign to locate a season with five teams from the upper half of the country. If you are looking for any indication of how different the times were in English soccer, Liverpool won that season’s top-flight campaign. Aston Villa finished second with Tottenham pipping Arsenal for third. Manchester United finished 13th, which remains its worst top-flight finish since suffering relegation in 1973/74.</p>



<p>Traditionally, northern England is a hotbed for soccer in the country. Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton rank in the top five most successful clubs based on top-flight titles. Only Arsenal, which sits third on 13 league wins, breaks up the northern hegemony of English success. Yet, the northern clubs have failed to maintain their dominance in England. Manchester City and Liverpool are certainly two dominating forces, yes. But, this applies more to widespread control. Whether that be simply the number of teams in the first division or where they are placing in the table, clubs from the top half of the country have been in control for decades.</p>



<h2>The shift from northern southern</h2>



<p>There were as many as 11 teams from northern towns and cities in the Premier League. For example, the 2008/09 season had 11 teams in the top flight. That included the five currently playing, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Hull City, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. The consensus among English soccer is that many of these teams are among the most storied in the country’s lore. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240529_WST_509346_Premier-League-northern-clubs-1200x670_d5ca396c.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-509377" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Premier-League-northern-clubs-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Premier-League-northern-clubs-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Premier-League-northern-clubs-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Premier-League-northern-clubs.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>Yet, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and other teams with multiple first-division titles in their history have bowed out of the top flight. The north has a total of 75 top-flight titles in the history of English soccer. In their place, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Southampton, Brighton and Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Brentford have a combined two top-flight titles. They represent the modern era of soccer, including savvy spending and often selling players to rival clubs through development. </p>



<p>By comparison, northern clubs have failed to adapt. Manchester United has made a knack of reckless spending that has ultimately been detrimental to the club’s success. Newcastle’s power spending has allowed it to rise to prominence and qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years. Yet, Everton has financially struggled, Leeds United crashed down to the third tier briefly and Sunderland had a four-year stint in League One. </p>



<h2>The future of the northern clubs in the Premier League</h2>



<p>There are a number of factors that contribute to this power switch from north to south. The nature of the region, rapid and unpredictable success of the southern sides, and luck all play a role. Still, what remains clear is that the northern sides of the Premier League and English soccer must change their general direction to keep pace with those in the south.</p>



<p>It seems like a laughable argument to jog ideas of an All-Star game. The rumor was to pit the best players from the north against the best from the south. The more sensible discussion would be the London clubs against everyone else. There are seven teams in the capital city playing in the Premier League. </p>



<p>It would not take much for the north to re-establish itself in the top flight. For example, Leeds lost the playoff final. Also, two northern clubs went down this past season. Middlesbrough and Sunderland featured in the promotion playoff semifinals in 2022/23. Hull City and Preston North End were in the top half of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/championship-tv-schedule/">Championship</a> table in 2023/24. The disparity exists, but it would not take much to close it.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

Premier League breaks new unique record

In the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, there will be just five clubs hailing from northern cities and towns, the fewest in the modern era.

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<p>Liverpool has flown Luis Diaz’s family to Merseyside so they can spend the Christmas period together. The decision comes just days after Luis Manuel Diaz, the father of the star winger, was released by Colombian kidnappers. Diaz’s dad was held hostage for 12 long days before he was eventually freed. The player’s mother was also held captive as well, but was previously rescued after a few hours.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a> star was recently reunited with his parents during the current international break. Diaz traveled back to Colombia earlier this week to feature in two <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-qualifiers-tv-schedule/">2026 World Cup qualifiers</a> for his native country. He was named in the starting lineup to face <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> on Thursday and managed to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/colombia-vs-brazil-live-updates-how-to-stream-and-team-news-20231116-WST-470553.html">score both goals</a> for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/colombia-national-team-tv-schedule/">Colombia</a>.</p>



<p>La Tricolor won the massive match thanks to the strikes by Diaz. The victory puts Colombia up to third in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, only behind <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/argentina-national-team-tv-schedule/">Argentina</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/uruguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Uruguay</a>. The top six teams in the final standings will automatically qualify for the tournament in the United States.</p>



<p>Liverpool paid for a private flight from Colombia to England for Diaz’s parents and extended family on Friday. The soccer star will, however, remain in South America for the time being. Colombia has one more match scheduled before the international break ends. Diaz and company is set to face <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/paraguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Paraguay</a> in another World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, November 21st. The winger will then travel back to Liverpool to reunite with his family and club teammates.</p>



<h2>Diaz has been smash hit for Liverpool</h2>



<p>The Colombian star arrived on Merseyside from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/fc-porto-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-united-states/">Porto</a> in a deal worth around $50 million in January of 2022. He was essentially brought in to eventually replace the outgoing Sadio Mane. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/senegal-national-team-tv-schedule/">Senegal</a> international departed for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/">Bayern Munich</a> in the following summer.</p>



<p>Although Diaz struggled with various setbacks, particular a significant knee injury, he has been an outstanding signing for the Reds. Nevertheless, the elder Diaz reportedly revealed that Liverpool is not his son’s “dream” club. Before making the trip to England, Diaz’s dad claimed that Luis is a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> fan.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231118_WST_471322_imago1034357190h-1200x800.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" alt="" class="wp-image-471351" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034357190h-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034357190h-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034357190h-768x512.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034357190h-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/imago1034357190h-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Luis Diaz has been in brilliant form for his country of late.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Winger’s father says there would be “no problem” if son transferred to Barca</h2>



<p>“The truth is that I know very little about Barcelona at the moment. It is true that Luis is a loyal Barcelona fan and it would be his dream to go there,” Luis Manuel Diaz supposedly <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12764849/Luis-Diaz-Barcelona-dream-Liverpool-release-kidnappers.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> Colombian TV channel <em>Win Sports</em>.</p>



<p>“So far I would like to thank Porto and Liverpool for the way they welcomed him and received him. Luis is a player who finds it easy to win over because of the way he is. Because of his humility, his work, his dedication, he is a very disciplined player, thank God.”</p>



<p>“There would be no problem if Luis came to Barcelona because it is a top team and one of the best in the world.”</p>



<p>Liverpool will likely brush off the comments. After all, manager Jurgen Klopp is thrilled to have Diaz in his team and the winger is currently under contract until 2027. Diaz has also regularly featured in Klopp’s starting lineup since arriving nearly two years ago. The Colombian started eight of nine <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> matches during the current campaign before his parents were kidnapped.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / PA Images : IMAGO / Photosport</p>


Liverpool fly Luis Diaz's family to England for Christmas

Liverpool paid for Luis Diaz's family to fly from Colombia to Merseyside and they will spend Christmas together

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<p>If you believe Liverpool manager Raphael Benitez there are few midfielders more suited for the Premier League than Lucas Leiva. After all, Benitez has spent much of his 2009-2010 campaign lobbying on behalf of the twenty-two year old Brazilian. Benitez praises Levia’s work rate and dedication to the team, all the while ignoring his glaring deficiencies. Liverpool supporters from Merseyside to Mumbai have been lamenting Leiva’s inclusion in Benitez’s first team since the departure of Xavi Alonso. Replacing Alonso was always going to be a challenge, but after Sunday’s dismal performance against Chelsea it is concretely clear that Leiva is never going to be the man for that task.</p>
<p>This is a player that is simply not good enough for the daily rigors of the English Premier League. Yes, at times he looks like a fluid player that is capable of stringing together a few passes. However, against the likes of Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Spurs he has looked entirely out of his depth this season. The Chelsea match was particularly striking. Leiva appeared tactically naive and physically inferior as Chelsea’s midfield bossed the game and easily pushed the Brazilian off the ball. Benitez has exhausted the English media by plugging Leiva’s ability to give his all, but after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat it is obvious the midfielder brings little more than useless energy to the side.</p>
<p>Moreover, this is not a new problem for Liverpool. Benitez has been attempting to integrate Leiva into the first team for the better part of two years. So I put the question to you, the readers of EPL Talk: is Lucas Leiva good enough for Liverpool Football Club? Is his style of play strong enough for the English Premier League? If nothing else English football is associated with pace and physicality, two qualities that Leiva clearly lacks. At times the midfielder forlornly wanders the middle of the park, giving balls away while simultaneously disrupting Liverpool’s offensive output.</p>
<p>This behavior has deeply effected Steven Gerrard’s play in 2009. Against Chelsea the Liverpool skipper was forced to drop deeper in an effort to link midfield with attack, disrupting his offensive rhythm with Fernando Torres. Gerrard is renowned for his forward runs and box-to-box capacity, but on Sunday fans saw little of this as Chelsea ran riot in the second half.</p>
<p>Of course Liverpool’s misfortunes are not the sole responsibility of one player. Jamie Carragher has looked his age thus far and Dirk Kuyt has been incredibly ineffective on the right during this young season. Liverpool’s internal struggles are also well documented, as owners George Gillette and Tom Hicks continue to drag the club’s reputation through the mud.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Leiva’s lack of creativity in midfield is the most pressing matter for the Reds on the pitch. Summer signing Alberto Aquilani is returning to health and is predicted to make his first start for Liverpool in the Carling Cup at the end of October. Even if Aquilani usurps Leiva’s place in Benitez’s midfield, Liverpool will still need to call on the Brazilian down the stretch. Most pundits cite Liverpool’s lack of depth as the primary reason that the Merseysiders will not end their twenty-year title drought in 2010. The fixture congestion created by playing in four competitions will certainly test this theory, and Lucas Leiva does little to ease these concerns.</p>


ALL POSTS TAGGED "Merseyside"

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Premier League breaks new unique record

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Liverpool fly Luis Diaz's family to England for Christmas

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Lucas Leiva: Good Enough for Liverpool?