The Premier League is one of the most exciting football leagues in the world, with countless memorable moments and achievements etched into the history books. However, for every triumph, there are also moments that could have changed the course of history, and it's fascinating to imagine what could have been if things had gone differently. Let's take a look at some of the Premier League's biggest "What Ifs?"
What if Liverpool hadn't slipped in 2014?
In the 2013/14 season, Liverpool looked poised to win their first Premier League title. With a dynamic attack led by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, the Reds played an attractive brand of football that had fans dreaming of glory. However, on April 27, 2014, everything changed. Liverpool were leading 3-0 against Crystal Palace, but then captain Steven Gerrard slipped and allowed Palace to score. The game ended in a 3-3 draw, and Liverpool's title hopes were shattered. What if Gerrard hadn't slipped? Would Liverpool have gone on to win the title? We'll never know, but it's an interesting thought.
What if Manchester City hadn't scored in stoppage time in 2012?
The 2011/12 season was one of the most dramatic in Premier League history. Manchester City and Manchester United were neck-and-neck for most of the campaign, and on the final day, City trailed QPR 2-1 going into stoppage time. However, Edin Dzeko equalized in the 92nd minute, and Sergio Aguero scored the winner moments later to give City their first Premier League title. But what if QPR had held on? United had already won their game, meaning that a QPR win would have given them the title instead. Would City have been able to recover from such a heartbreaking defeat, or would their trajectory have been altered significantly?
What if Arsenal had gone unbeaten in 2003/04?
The 2003/04 season was a historic one for Arsenal, as they became the first team to go unbeaten throughout an entire Premier League campaign. But what if they had slipped up? What if they had lost a game or two? Would their legacy be the same? It's impossible to know for sure, but it's likely that their achievement wouldn't have been as celebrated if they had simply won the title without going unbeaten.
What if Sir Alex Ferguson had retired earlier?
Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers in football history, and his tenure at Manchester United was nothing short of legendary. However, there were moments towards the end of his reign when it seemed like the club was in decline. What if Ferguson had retired a few years earlier? Would United have been able to transition to a new era more smoothly, or would they have struggled regardless?
These "What Ifs?" are just a few examples of the countless moments in Premier League history that could have gone differently. While we can never know what might have happened, it's fun to imagine the different paths that could have been taken.