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BECKY EASTON has been released by Liverpool Ladies following the expiration of her contract it was announced by the club earlier today.

A true Red, a Liverpool supporter in her second spell with the club (previously turning out for the club between 1994-97) after returning towards the end of 2012 as part of the Matt Beard revolution that saw the defender win 2 league titles in 2 years.

Named the Official Liverpool Ladies Supporters Player of the Year in 2014 after a storming campaign, one in which Liverpool kept 9 clean sheets in 14 league games to retain the title for the second successive year.

Becky is a tough-tackling, no-nonsense defender who will be sorely missed by all supporters of Liverpool, her crunching sliding challenges a real highlight along with her leadership on the pitch.

Despite a disappointing campaign Becky still stood out on the pitch, even scoring her first goal (at least during the second spell!) in the performance of the season by the team as Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-1 away.

On Friday night at the club’s end of season awards Becky was named Vitality Player of the Year, the awards that “takes into consideration an individual’s high fitness levels, staying active inside and outside of football as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle.” and no doubt has plenty of football left in her – I’d like to wish her the best with her next venture and hopefully we will see her return to the club in some capacity in the future.

LIVERPOOL LADIES today announced that goalkeeper Libby Stout has departed the club and will join up with Matt Beard at Boston Breakers, following the earlier announcement that Boston had also signed former Reds defender Whitney Engen.

Joining Liverpool from BV Cloppenburg in January 2014, Libby ironically made her home debut for the opposite side – a pre-season friendly against Doncaster saw them without a keeper, with Stout playing the first 45 against Liverpool and fellow keeper Danielle Gibbons the second.

From her competitive debut against Sunderland in The FA Cup it was clear Liverpool had made an excellent signing with a fantastic fingertip save on the stroke of half-time poking the ball wide, supporters were treated to many more over the next 2 years.

The no.1 went on to play a huge part in the Reds retention of their 2014 Women’s Super League title, keeping 9 clean sheets in a total 18 appearances and at the end of the campaign was voted @LFCladiesfans Signing of the Season.

Libby will be missed at Liverpool and I’d like to wish her all the best back in the US!

• Italian Serie A currently has 12 teams and this season will run from October 2015 to May 2016
• Like in England, the winner and runner up qualify for the Champions League
• However the number of relegation places is unknown: nobody knows how many teams will go down at the end of the campaign and this, she says “is one of the infinite problems in Italian women’s football.”

From an outsider’s point of view it certainly seems odd, in 2014/15 “there were 14 teams. The last 3 were suddenly demoted, while from positions 8 to 11 they played in the play off. The winner remained in Serie A and the other 3 relegated to Serie B.”

MATT BEARD’S reign as manager of Liverpool Ladies FC came to an end as the Reds bowed out the Champions League, losing 1-0 on the night to Italian side Brescia CF.

The away goal came against the run of play midway through the first-half, Liverpool were denied what looked to be a clear penalty shortly after and had a goal disallowed for offside.

The final game of the year seen a trio of injured players return to the line-up with Libby Stout back in goal, Martha Harris at right-back and Asisat Oshoala on the wing – Corina Schroder and Line Smorsgard were unused substitutes.

In Gemma Bonner’s absence, Natasha Dowie captained the side once more and Katrin Omarsdottir stepped back into central defence to partner Satara Murray, Ingrid Ryland at left-back and Lucy Staniforth playing in a deep central midfield role with Rosie White, Katie Zelem, and Ashley Hodson completing the line-up.

Liverpool came under pressure early on, similar to the first leg the Italians initially probing on the right with Daniela Sabatino who was easily dispossessed by Ryland. Sabatino was then the target of a cross in from the same side, this was blocked by Omarsdottir seconds before the Icelandic and Murray were quick to react and close down a nifty back heel from Tarenzi at the edge of the area.

In Brescia, Staniforth had played in a wide position and moving back into the centre of the pitch on the night here showed great vision with a couple of passes during the first half  – one falling perfectly for Dowie who set up Zelem but she could find no way through the sea of blue shirts. Later in the half a low pass sliced through the defence reached Oshoala, yet before the Nigerian could take a second touch the keeper (a 17-year old substitute who had only just took to the pitch) was quick off her line to collect.

Zelem had been involved at the other end prior to this, helping out in defence and clearing towards Hodson who impressively accelerated and left Brescia centre back Elena Linari way off the pace but her cross towards the waiting Dowie was intercepted by Sara Gama.

The Reds began looking more and more likely to take the lead and were attacking in numbers with Harris and Ryland pressing high up. Harris slipped Oshoala in with a neat through ball, the offside was however up even before Oshoala’s cross was sent wide by Hodson and Murray also seen a header go the wrong side of the post from a Staniforth set piece.

Dowie’s hold up play was once more excellent, laying another ball into the path of Zelem who couldn’t quite connect right with it and Harris’ strike went over the crossbar after good work by the no.9 and Ryland.

Brescia took the lead against the run of play, the tricky Sabatino winning the ball midway through the Liverpool half, charging forward with a run matched by Barbara Bonanesa and the latter slotted the ball home from 6 yards out to grab an important away goal – this meaning the Reds would need 3 goals to progress to the Round of 16.

Before half-time the referee made a controversial decision as the French official waved away Liverpool’s cries of handball, Roberta D’Adda had appeared to block a Zelem strike with her arm.

Liverpool went straight on the attack in the second half, searching for goals while Brescia were happy to sit back and defend their advantage. Hodson won a corner from kick-off, which led to 3 successive set pieces – the final of which fell to Oshoala outside the box who volleyed wide.

Hodson then had a shot blocked, while Oshoala could find no way past Gama after a tidy turn from White in the Brescia half. White also sent Dowie chasing a through ball, but with two imposing Italian defenders Dowie clipped her strike inches off target

In the semi-final against Notts County on Sunday, Fara Williams had made her welcome return from injury and played the final 25 minutes as she replaced Staniforth in central midfield.

A glimmer of hope briefly flickered as Oshoala looked to have pulled a goal back with a brilliant header, yet perplexingly the lineswoman flagged for offside and the goal was disallowed, stifling hopes of a comeback – Williams going closest before the final whistle, her corner almost straight in at the near post but held well by the keeper. While up at the other end a great save from Stout prevented the deficit from being 2 on the night.

The defeat marks the end of a tough year for Liverpool Ladies, the squad that Beard had hailed as his strongest yet has been massively depleted by injury since the mid-season break – 15 first team players missing numerous games. The manager now departs for a new challenge in the USA, while whoever takes over the helm at the Reds inherits a squad that now boasts a wealth of experienced youth players but will also, as Beard said in an interview with the Liverpool Echo this week, need support from the club to replace the top class players lost over the last 2 seasons and compete once more at the top of the table.

LIVERPOOL LADIES Stout, Harris, Omarsdottir, Murray, Ryland, Staniforth (Williams), White (Dale), Zelem, Oshoala, Hodson, Dowie (C)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH Satara Murray

Finally, a thank you to everyone who has followed @LFCladiesfans this season, stick with me over the break as I’ll be bringing you news from the Development Squad – their campaign running until the end of November and picking up again at the beginning of February.

LIVERPOOL LADIES capped off a disappointing league campaign with a final day 4-2 defeat away at Bristol Academy.

The Reds had tied the score at 1-1 after going a goal down, but the home side raced back ahead – Natasha Dowie added a late consolation, converting a corner.

Elsewhere in the league Chelsea Ladies emphatically beat Sunderland 4-0 to claim their first league title and a 2-1 victory for Manchester City, in front of an impressive crowd of 3,180, placed them second to secure Champions League football in 2016/17.

Goalkeeper Libby Stout had been injured during the closing stages of the 4-0 defeat to Chelsea Ladies last weekend and did not travel with the team – Danielle Gibbons making her return between the posts after having brain surgery in the summer.

Natasha Dowie led the line up front, with Maz Pacheco, Satara Murray, Gemma Bonner and Ingrid Ryland in defence; Rosie White playing wide left, Ingrid Ryland on the right, Lucy Staniforth and Katrin Omarsdottir in the middle and Katie Zelem playing behind Dowie.

Bristol took an early lead, Anghared James battling her way through the defence to cross low to Caroline Weir and the Scot turning well in the box from both Bonner and Harris to finish past Gibbons

Good pressure in and around the box by Liverpool would eventually pay off – first Harris’ throw-in landed at the feet of Dowie but the no.9 couldn’t turn against the tight marking and then Ryland, who has enjoyed a good run of form of late despite results, was also influential in the Reds best passing move of perhaps the entire 90 minutes.

Winning the ball in midfield, passing to Staniforth who turned to play in Omarsdottir. She carried it forward past a number of Bristol shirts before passing back wide to Ryland who still found herself in space however the cross was headed away.

The equaliser came as a result of Liverpool just getting the ball forward amongst the defence and into the box, White’s cross hitting Bristol defender Hannah Short to bring the score level.

But the home side would reassume their lead before half-time, Christie Murray lifting the ball over Gibbons and into the back of the net.

Weir almost added a third twice before half-time, first watching an audacious long range effort fly wide before being denied by Gibbons’ quick reaction save. Not long into the second half however, the Scottish international would make it 3-1 after converting a cross sent in from the left.

Staniforth, as she had against Arsenal, attempted to score from the restart and was only denied by a fingertips save from Earps. Taking the corner short and receiving the ball back, Staniforth was once more thwarted only by Earps who again sent the strike out for a corner.

Ashley Hodson had replaced Pacheco at the break, with Harris moving across to cover left-back and Ryland going to the right side of defence.

Working tirelessly again up front Dowie was drifting out wide to pick up the ball, winning multiple corners that Liverpool were unable to take advantage off.

Dowie had the ball in the back of the net after good build up play by the Reds, Ryland’s throw finding Omarsdottir who was quickly closed down and passed back up the line to Ryland who then picked out Zelem; the midfielder setting Dowie up with a through ball who finished nicely but the assistant referee had flagged for offside.

Bristol also had a goal disallowed for offside shortly afterwards, however soon made it 4-1 with Tatiana Pinto getting on the score sheet

With the score at 4-1 Liverpool refused to back down, Zelem shooting wide after a cut back from substitute Asisat Oshoala and Staniforth having a driving free kick blocked.

Dowie pulled a goal back after a series of corners. White swung a corner in towards the back post, this was headed on by Bonner and sent over the line by Dowie – scoring her 6th goal past Bristol this year.

They kept pushing, looking to close the gap further, Dowie cutting in from the left to win a corner in a move that mirrored an earlier move. This came to nothing and after 4 minutes of added time, the already relegated Bristol side finished their season with a 4-2 win.

The defeat caps a disappointing league season for Liverpool Ladies, never able to get off the ground and marred by injuries to key players throughout – Corina Schroder missing the majority of the year, Fara Williams still yet to return after 3 months out and Kate Longhurst the most recent to be side lined.

Becky Easton, Danielle Gibbons, Satara Murray, Ingrid Ryland, Line Smorsgard, Ashley Hodson, Katrin Omarsdottir, Asisat Oshoala, Libby Stout and Lucy Staniforth have all missed games, a total of 14 first team players and Liverpool have never had a fully fit squad for Matt Beard to choose a starting 11 from.

Despite this, there are positives the Reds can carry forward into the next season – for whichever manager comes in. The players have shown grit and determination, especially young players Maz Pacheco, Katie Zelem and Ashley Hodson who might not have had the game time without the injuries.

It was also pleasing to see Shannon Beckwith on the bench against Bristol, Beckwith is a talented young centre-back who reads the game well and captained the club’s development side to the league title earlier this year. Rachel Darbyshire and Mollie Green have also gained valuable experience being around the first team both in training and on match days.

Gemma Bonner has performed remarkably for a struggling side, Martha Harris has had a fine second season, Natasha Dowie’s goals once again proving a bright spark and Kate Longhurst had been exceptional up until her injury – playing every position but goalkeeper.

Liverpool have an important trio of games over the next couple of weeks, starting with an away tie at Brescia CF this upcoming Wednesday in the Champions League Round of 32 and the home leg a week later – both games will be screened live on LFCTV. In the middle of the Champions League games the Reds also face Notts County in the Continental Cup semi-final at Select Stadium, Widnes, Sunday 11th October.

Get behind the Reds. Tickets available for both home games on the gate.

LIVERPOOL LADIES Gibbons, Harris, Bonner ©, Murray, Pacheco (Hodson), Ryland, Staniforth, Omarsdottir (Oshoala), White, Zelem, Dowie

PLAYER OF THE MATCH Ingrid Ryland

 Liverpool Ladies suffered a heavy home league defeat to Chelsea Ladies in front of a 1000+ strong crowd in Widnes; PFA Player of the Year Ji So-Yun scored twice and England’s Eni Aluko and Fran Kirby bagged a goal each.

 The Reds lined up in a 3-5-2 formation – Natasha Dowie given a partner up front in Line Smorsgard and Katie Zelem playing just behind them. Lucy Staniforth and Katrin Omarsdottir completed the midfield line-up with Ingrid Ryland at left-wing-back and Rosie White on the right.

 Libby Started started in goal behind the back 3 of Martha Harris, Satara Murray and Gemma Bonner.

 The formation gave Liverpool a lot of width in contrast to the narrow Chelsea set-up, Ryland and White both consistently finding themselves with a lot of space on the wings – Ryland in particular impressing out wide and with the Reds first real chance of the game after Staniforth’s ball picked her out on the wing, the Norwegian beat Hannah Blundell to unleash a strike from outside the box but hitting the woodwork.

 With the effort coming midway through the first half, this saw the beginning of a short period of time wherein Liverpool were on top and had Chelsea pinned around their own box.

  Just moments after Ryland hit the post, Liverpool had Chelsea rattled again; White winning a corner after seeing her cross blocked and sending the set piece towards Bonner who’s header also crashed off the frame of the goal. Murray sent the rebound back out to White, who played a one-two with Staniforth before sending another cross into the box but this was cleared.

 The visiting team had temporarily been reduced to 10 after Niamh Fahey was forced to leave to pitch for stitches after a clash with Dowie, but Liverpool were unable to capitalize on the slight advantage and would be left cursing the crossbar as Chelsea took the lead.

 Aluko had initially been forced away by Bonner but Davison on the opposite wing had better luck, crossing to So-Yun who controlled the ball well at the edge of the 6-yard box and finished past Stout to make it 1-0.

  Stout then denied Kirby from going through on goal after a well-timed run eluded the defence, the no.1 with a sliding challenge outside of her area.

 This was followed by a wonderful solo effort from Zelem, who went on a driving run through the centre of the pitch to shoot from 30 yards – striking the ball cleanly dipping towards the top corner and Swedish international Hedvig Lindahl punching it out for a corner.

 Liverpool were pressing for an equaliser as Bonner pressed high up the pitch to receive a long ball from Staniforth by the corner flag, the captain’s cross deflected out for a throw from which White was unable to put the ball inside the box.

 5 minutes before half-time, Chelsea doubled their lead after Aluko cut the ball back to the waiting Kirby who made no mistakes from 6 yards out.

 Liverpool had made a change at the break as Maz Pacheco came on for Ryland, this bringing no change in formation.

 The lop-sided scoreline going into the second-half barely told the story of the game, Liverpool had had an abundance of activity in and around the box with numerous corners yet had been unlucky with hitting the post twice and perhaps just not being as clinical as the Londoners.

 Less than 10 minutes after half-time, Chelsea got the killer 3rd goal when Aluko pounced on a back pass to put herself on the score sheet after getting the earlier assist for Kirby.

 Before this Liverpool had continued to get the ball forward, Bonner’s forward pass looking for Dowie and then Smorsgard with a neat cross from the outside of her boot.

 The Reds refused to give up and at 3-0 White was unlucky not to pull a goal back after an excellent run from Harris, cutting in from the right to tee up the New Zealander for a strike that went inches wide.

 Both Ashley Hodson and Asisat Oshoala took to the pitch replacing Staniforth and Smorsgard, the latter making her return from a 2-month injury lay off and looking bright – a nice pull back and looping cross into the box looking for fellow substitute Hodson but caught by Lindahl.

 It would finish 4-0, Chelsea firmly placing themselves back at the top of the league table with one game to play – So Yun had opened the scoring and finished it with Davison once again providing the cross.

 Into injury time at the end of the 90 minutes, Stout was caught by Borges with the Reds keeper going down clutching her shoulder and requiring treatment on the pitch. With a number of important games coming up from next week, Liverpool will be hoping Stout’s injury wasn’t serious

 Full-time: Liverpool Ladies 0 – 4 Chelsea Ladies

LIVERPOOL XI Stout, Bonner (C), Murray, Harris, White, Omarsdottir, Staniforth, Ryland (Pacheco), Zelem, Smorsgard, Dowie

PLAYER OF THE MATCH Martha Harris

 Matt Beard is set to leave Liverpool Ladies at the end of the 2015 season and join Boston Breakers in the NWSL.

 Matt has managed Liverpool Ladies for 3 years, taking over in August 2012 to oversee the final games of the 2012 season but unable to prevent the Reds from finishing bottom of the league for the second year running.

 That winter Liverpool were transformed, with almost an entire new starting 11 joining the club – goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill had joined mid-season.

 England international Fara Williams arrived from Everton, along with Becky Easton, Natasha Dowie and Lucy Bronze while Gemma Bonner followed Beard from his former club Chelsea and was appointed team captain. Whitney Engen also signed up alongside fellow American Amanda Da Costa and soon-to-be regulars Corina Schroder, Nicole Rolser, Katrin Omarsdottir and Louise Fors arrived from Europe.

 At the beginning of 2013, Beard targeted a top 4 finish from his new-look side allowing time for them to settle as a team yet Liverpool started the season strongly and began to sweep their opposition aside with ease – a famous 4-0 win over an unbeaten for almost 2 years Arsenal Ladies side was followed by a 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea and 4-1 wins over both Everton and Birmingham.

 By the mid-season break Liverpool were top of the league on goal difference, had exited The FA Cup in the semi-finals to Arsenal but through to the semis of the Continental Cup. More players arrived during the summer transfer window – now fan-favourite Kate Longhurst, New Zealand’s Sara Gregorius, England youth internationals Ellie Stewart and Katie Zelem and on-loan keeper Rachael Laws.

 A tough run of games followed the break, a league defeat to Arsenal preceded a cup exit to Lincoln on penalties however the next 2 games would define the season, beating title challengers Bristol and Chelsea 4-3 in battling performances.

 In the Bristol game Liverpool raced 3-1 ahead before Bristol pulled it back to 3-3 – Gemma Bonner popping up minutes from time with a 40-yard screamer to take all 3 points. While at home against Chelsea, the opposite happened; Liverpool fell 2-0 behind in the opening 20 minutes. Goals either side of half-time from Williams and Rolser would make it 2-2 but the Reds would go behind again from an own goal. Natasha Dowie has been a key player for Beard over the years and was instrumental in Liverpool stealing the win here, scoring a header to make it 3-3 and then setting up Rolser for the winning goal.

 From here on, Liverpool went undefeated to lift the league title – their first major honour – and also securing Champions League football for the first time in the club’s history.

  Into 2014, Matt Beard continued to build his side – Lucy Staniforth, Libby Stout, Martha Harris and Gemma Davison arriving to strengthen the squad amid the departures of Whitney Engen and Louise Fors.

 Liverpool however were hit by an injury curse, Rolser and Staniforth both ruled out for the entire season after serious knee injuries and Zelem out for 2 months with a broken collarbone. Liverpool were also missing numerous players for games throughout the first half of the campaign.

 Despite this Beard’s team kept themselves at the right end of the table, putting themselves into a good position to challenge during the second half of the season – and challenge they did, an audacious Fara Williams winner away at Birmingham during the run-in and a last-gasp equaliser from Davison against her former side Arsenal placed Liverpool in 3rd spot going into the final day.

 Of the 2 teams above them, Chelsea needed only a point away at a new Manchester City side that has struggled to gel in the way Liverpool had the year before. If Chelsea were unable to get a point, then Birmingham could beat Notts at home to take the title.

 Somehow both Chelsea and Birmingham failed to get the results they needed, and Liverpool – who had beaten Bristol 3-0 – were crowned champions for the second year running against all odds.

  Away from the two title wins, Beard has overseen changes in the youth set up at Liverpool. In 2013 the development squad was overhauled and has since gone on to win their league – along with the U17s team winning The FA Youth Cup in 2014.

 This year the first team has once again struggled with injury, but still have the Continental Cup to play for with an upcoming semi-final and will be looking to go further in the Champions League which begins in 2 weeks.

 The team around the team has also improved greatly, Scott Rogers, Joe Potts, Kirsty Hicks, Kat Wise et al – this without mentioning the coaches of the youth sides.

 On a personal note I’d like to thank Matt for everything over the last 3 years, he’s transformed this team and club while being wholly approachable and friendly towards supporters throughout. Hiring Matt is a big statement from Boston, who will be hoping he can turn their fortunes around in the way he did for Liverpool.

 It’s been an absolute pleasure following Liverpool under Matt.