Independent LFC Women Blog

Liverpool had secured the league title 2 weeks earlier, learning while on the way home from a 5-1 drubbing of Derby County that chasers Blackburn had failed to win, making it impossible for the young Reds to be caught at the top.

That made this game against Stoke merely a formality yet one to be taken seriously; much earlier in the campaign, as reported by LFCladiesfans, the u17s went 2-0 down to the same opposition. An impressive comeback was staged with a brace each from Louise and Meg, 4-2 the final score.

It is worth also noting that this is the first Liverpool u17 side to win the league title, a title that has been dominated by Manchester United in recent years.

As it stands, even if United win their final games Liverpool will still finish 5 points clear. A great achievement by all involved and, before getting today’s match report underway, I’d like to congratulate each and every player and coaches Andy Newland and Charlotte Healy on a great season! 

The tone was set with back-to-back opening victories over both United and Blackburn, sides that had finished above Liverpool in the 2 previous seasons, before the Reds embarked on a 11-game winning streak. In the second half of the season Liverpool suffered a couple of defeats, with no shame in the 4-1 loss to United and also beat by a good Blackburn side but the title was secured after big wins against Derby County and a 2-0 derby win against Everton.

Having personally watched the u17s play several times this season, they are a talented group of players for whom the future is very bright! Watch this space… 

Onto the game itself which was mainly played in midfield with plenty of Liverpool probing around the 18-yard box but with few clear cut chances in each half. 

In the centre the excellent Mia and Brenna showed their strength on and off the ball, Mia’s complete dominance in front of the back line the reason the Reds defence were tested so little.

The defence consisted of set-piece specialist Charlotte at left-back, a centre-back pairing of Tia and Chloe with Megan on the right and Jen in goal.

Louise led the front line supported by captain Paige, Lauren and Sophie.

Early in the game it was Charlotte and Sophie causing the most danger on the right wing, Sophie twice racing down the sideline and beating the defender to win a corner for the Reds. Unfortunately on one of these rampaging runs the winger picked up an injury after a challenge and was replaced by the equally impressive Cassia.

As the first half progressed Liverpool drew closer and closer to converting one of Charlotte’s corners, Brenna almost poking the ball over the line but for a goalmouth scramble to deny her the opening goal.

Charlotte herself was also denied, a brilliant passing move by the Reds kickstarted by Mia and Megan combining to set Paige down the left wing, Paige crossed to Louise whose strike was blocked only as far as Charlotte – her 25-yard hit only just held onto by the Stoke goalkeeper.

Stoke were proving tough to wear down, the breakthrough finally coming on the stroke of half-time and after a 5 minute period during which Liverpool were down to 10 with Paige temporarily sidelined. Charlotte sending a corner into the crowded 6-yard box, the ball bouncing off a number of players before rolling into the back of the net off a Stoke player.

Liverpool made one change at the break with Caitlin on for Lauren.

Into the second half and Mia and Megan continued to be in the thick of the action, linking well with Cole once more yet Stoke snuffed out one attack, quickly back to defend Megan’s cross after the Reds had quickly countered.

A second counter attack saw Chloe clear to Caitlin, she passed to Mia who had also made the run, wide to Megan whose cross went in search of Paige however ended in the goalies arms. 

The Reds had to be patient for the second goal which came after Megan’s cross skimmed past Louise to instead land at Cassia’s feet, the Welsh youth international making no mistakes from yards out to make it 2-0 to Liverpool.

As mentioned previously the defence had little to do except remaining switched on throughout, set pieces were defended well with notable clearances from Chloe and Louise. While Reds keeper Jen, who recently found herself on the bench for the Development Squad, kept a commanding presence at the back, vocally organising the defence in front of her despite having probably the quietest afternoon of her season.

A trio of chances capped off the morning for Liverpool, Caitlin’s strike from the edge of the area almost alluding the substitute Stoke keeper, Louise firing a powerful shot inches wide and Cassia almost adding her second of the game after a layoff from Caitlin.

The game finishing 2-0 and the team deservedly celebrating a fantastic season.

A WONDER STRIKE from 17-year old Georgia Stanway and Nikita Parris’s second-half header sent Manchester City Women into the next round of The FA Cup at the expense of Liverpool Ladies.

Scott Rogers named 7 debutants amongst his starting 11; Siobhan Chamberlain in goal, Mandy Van Den Berg joining Gemma Bonner in central defence with Alex Greenwood and Martha Harris on the left and right.

Sophie Ingle provided cover for the back line in defensive midfield alongside Laura Coombs, while Katie Zelem played behind Rosie White up front and Natasha Harding and Caroline Weir either side of her.

Both sides played cautiously in the opening 20 minutes. The game bursting into life when Chamberlain held on well to a fierce Toni Duggan strike and quickly redistributing the ball, straight up at the other end Liverpool had strong claims for a penalty waved away – White looked to have been bundled over by Abbie McManus.

Minutes later Chamberlain denied Duggan again, brilliantly stretching to tip her international team mate’s dipping shot over the crossbar. The new no.1 impressed throughout her debut, producing another block with her feet at close range and generally organising her defence well. 

Liverpool began to threaten when Harris went on a rampaging run down the right wing and, under pressure from Duggan, sending a cross towards the incoming Harding however City keeper Karen Bardsley got there first. 

It when then that City struck the first blow with Stanway unleashing a 30-yard hit to put the Reds behind, Stanway had not long replaced the injured Izzy Christiansen.

The goal was particularly cruel as until that point Liverpool had batted away everything City had thrown at them, and continued to do so for the remainder of the first half. Harris blocking shot after shot, Chamberlain saving from Swedish striker Kosovare Asllani and Greenwood heading away a dangerous cross that was on its way to Duggan from the Swede.

Rogers made one change at the break, Emma Lundh making her competitive debut replacing White up front. 

The Reds came under pressure early in the second-half. A Duggan free-kick was headed away by Bonner as far as Bronze; Bonner then blocked the former Liverpool defender’s shot before clearing. City were quick to press forward again, Jill Scott closed down quickly at the edge of the area by Van Den Berg.

Liverpool then pressed forward, Greenwood’s cross met by Zelem yet not falling for Harding. The Welsh winger then chased a long ball forward, almost reaching it but for Bardsley being quick off her line to gather.

It would be another City substitute to find the back of the net for the visitors. Parris nodding the ball past Chamberlain from a set piece to make it 2-0. The former Everton striker has made a habit out of scoring against Liverpool. 

Supporters in attendance, 743 the official crowd figure, were treated to one final debut as Shanice Van de Sanden came on for Weir and Kate Longhurst made her first appearance of the season replacing Coombs.

Liverpool almost pulled a goal back when Harris found Longhurst on the edge of the box, Longhurst headed on to Lundh whose shot went the wrong side of the post. 

Lundh looked sharp during her 45 minutes, dropping deeper to link the midfield to the attack and spraying clever passes sideways. The no.9 was unlucky not to find herself on the scoresheet as a last-ditch header from Bronze sent her goalbound strike out for a corner and she almost found the back of the net from a Zelem lay off, shooting inches wide. 

LIVERPOOL XI Chamberlain, Harris, Bonner (C), Van Den Berg, Greenwood, Ingle, Coombs (Longhurst), Harding, Weir (Van de Sanden), Zelem, White (Lundh)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH Sophie Ingle

Despite the result there are plenty of positives the Reds can take. Performing well defensively with Harris, as usual, a stand out along with the aforementioned Chamberlain, and Van Den Berg displayed great awareness. Ingle was also an imposing presence in the midfield, throwing herself into challenges while Zelem showed great promise further up the pitch. 

Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from the defeat as they begin their 2016 league campaign on Wednesday night; kickoff is 7:30pm at Select Stadium, Widnes.

THE FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE begins its sixth season midweek with Liverpool facing Birmingham at home on Wednesday night, yet before supporters can get too excited about the prospects of a new league campaign, there is the small matter of an FA Cup fifth round tie against Manchester City.

I wrote midweek on The Anfield Wrap that there are no expectations on this Liverpool side, no pressure only intrigue. For many this is the first time that Scott Rogers’s new look line-up will be seen, and as such the fact that this is an FA Cup tie is not really at the forefront of the mind. 

City go into the game favourites, last year’s runners up have strengthened a settled side by adding Kosovare Asllani and Jane Ross to an already threatening forward line. However new defender Megan Campbell will miss 2-months with an ankle injury along with midfielder Keira Walsh. City have an excellent starting 11 but could come to rue their small overall squad as the season draws on.

Lucy Bronze will be a familiar face on the opposition team sheet, the right-back entering her second year in Manchester and joined in defence by England captain Steph Houghton and no.1 Karen Bardsley. Further up the field Jill Scott and Izzy Christiansen will be the main threats from midfield, while City have also completed the signing of Everton’s Nikita Parris after the striker spent last season on loan from the Blues. 

What of the Reds then, Siobhan Chamberlain will be the likely starter between the posts behind captain Gemma Bonner and fellow new addition Mandy Van Den Burg. Liverpool’s spine will look wholly different from last year with Sophie Ingle in centre midfield and Emma Lundh the new number nine. 

Natasha Harding joined Liverpool from City during the transfer window and will be a huge asset to the side, not only in this opening game but throughout the season with her direct and creative play. Harding said on LFCtv prior to the game “fortunately for Liverpool I was at City and I know how they play, and unfortunately for City I know how they play and now I’m on the other side.”

Liverpool have plenty of options now, with the ability to pick a strong starting 11 and still have quality on the bench; Competition for places will be high.

Come on Liverpool, here we go! 

Liverpool played 29 games (24 competitive) this year and I’m proud to have supported the team at every game, from Derby to Brescia, as well as 19 youth games.

This review will take a look at every first team game, reveal who you voted to follow in the steps of Natasha Dowie and Lucy Bronze as @LFCladiesfans Player of the Year and will look forwards as Liverpool look to go again in 2016 under the new stewardship of former assistant manager Scott Rogers – taking over after Matt Beard’s departure to Boston Breakers.

It will also give you a look at the Red’s newest signings, a trio announced just before Christmas – England international Siobhan Chamberlain and upcoming midfielder Laura Coombs along with Wales captain Sophie Ingle – and tell you who to look out for from the club’s current development and under-17 sides.

 

Since her winter move from Everton Ladies in 2012, Natasha Dowie topped the goal scoring charts in both 2013 and 2014 so it was no surprise to find the reliable no.9 tormenting opposition defences once more with 14 goals in 24 appearances, bringing an all-time total in a red shirt to 46 in 67.

v Sunderland (8 August)

Stealing the ball just inside the Sunderland half after closing down the defender, Dowie carried the ball forward to expertly chip the ball over the keeper to equalise for the Reds.

@50 seconds

Full breakdown of goal scorers & opposition scored vs: 

Natasha Dowie   14   v Birmingham City, Everton Ladies x 2, Doncaster Belles, Sunderland Ladies x 2, Durham WFC & Bristol Academy x 7
Asisat Oshoala   3   v Birmingham City, Manchester City & Arsenal Ladies
Fara Williams   2   v Birmingham City & Arsenal Ladies
Rosie White   2   v Notts County & Sunderland Ladies
Satara Murray   1   v Sunderland Ladies
Line Smorsgard   1   v Manchester City
Becky Easton   1   v Arsenal Ladies
Lucy Staniforth   1   v Doncaster Belles
Ashley Hodson   1   v Doncaster Belles
Katrin Omarsdottir   1   v Sunderland Ladies

The beginning of 2015 seen the arrival of Satara Murray, a defender who had spent time with Washington Spirit and recently graduated from the University of North Carolina, and African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala. 

The duo completed the Reds business in the transfer market, after welcoming Norwegian pair Ingrid Ryland and Line Smorsgard in December, as the first team returned to training and took on Aston Villa in their first public pre-season friendly.

WSL2 side Aston Villa were the opponents as Liverpool began 2015 with a bang, putting 4 past the Midlanders.

Natasha Dowie had been on target earlier in the month in a behind-closed-doors draw with Everton and opened the scoring here on the afternoon, initially seeing a shot blocked from a Fara Williams corner but converted the rebound.

Oshoala and Murray both impressed in their debut appearances, and both would find the back of the net – Oshoala doubling the advantage before half-time with a great solo effort after a mazy run, dodging past a number of Villa shirts.

Villa pulled a goal back early in the second-half before Dowie re-extended the lead to 2 goals with the pick of the afternoon’s goals, timing her run well before clinically chipping the ball over the goalkeeper.

Murray rounded off a Player of the Match display with a thumping header after another Williams set piece, the game finishing 4-1.

During the game Matt Beard handed debuts to no less than 5 youth players with Mayumi Pacheco, Emilie Revitt, Vicky Rumsey, Bethany Donoghue and Rachel Darbyshire. Rumsey has since left the club to go to University in Bath, you can read about each player in more detail here.

AN interview with Corina Schroder on a German website ensured February got off to a positive start, as the left-back confirmed her contract extension would take her up until Autumn 2017 and joked that she could turn out for the English national team one day.

Schroder followed her interview by netting in the 8-nil thrashing of Derby County, an excellent all-round display on the left wing capped by a second-half goal.

Kate Longhurst had opened the scoring after 10 minutes, with Williams and Nicole Rolser making it 3-0 at the break.

Dowie then put herself on the score sheet before setting up Schroder’s goal and also providing the assist for Williams to grab her second.

Line Smorsgard came from the bench to nab herself a debut goal, before Longhurst sealed the win with a volley smashed into the top left corner.

The only defeat during pre-season came as Yeovil Town paid the Reds a visit, the WSL2 side impressing against the current English champions. Full credit to Yeovil’s approach refusing to sit back and not allowing Liverpool to settle.

Liverpool hit the crossbar no less than 3 times during the first-half, Williams, Dowie and Bonner all denied by the woodwork before Amy Wathan headed the winning goal past Danielle Gibbons in the second half to give Yeovil the victory.

WSL1 clubs enter The Women’s FA Cup at the fifth round and Liverpool were handed the toughest draw of the round with a tricky tie away at fellow top flight side Birmingham City, one of the teams Liverpool pipped to win the league title at the end of the last campaign.

Poor finishing initially prevented the hosts from taking the lead, yet stand-in captain Jade Moore soon gave her side the lead after slipping through the Reds defence.

Dowie then notched her first competitive goal of the year to equalise, getting her head on the end of a Schroder cross after hard work by Smorsgard on the left.

Birmingham re-took the lead before half-time through a Jo Potter free-kick and Liverpool were caught on the break in the 90th minute, conceding a penalty which Remi Allen converted to send the Reds out of the cup.

The game also marked the beginning of Liverpool’s injury woes which would define their season, Katrin Omarsdottir and Ashley Hodson missing – the former with concussion and the latter having undergone knee surgery.

Days later the first ever side to be promoted to the top flight in England came to the Select Stadium looking to make an instant impact in the opening game of the Women’s Super League season.

Sunderland took a 1-0 lead in at half-time after Beth Mead converted a cross and doubled their advantage as former Everton player Brooke Chaplen scored from the spot.

Murray pulled a goal back on her first league start, this coming too late for Liverpool to find a second to equalise and the game finishing 2-1 to Sunderland.

The Reds returned to winning ways with one of their best performances of the year over the Birmingham City side that had dumped them out of the cup weeks earlier.

A surprise change to the starting 11 seen Becky Easton start at defensive midfield, the change bringing a much-needed steel to the middle of the park and allowing Fara Williams to push higher up the pitch.

Martha Harris was carving opportunities for her teammates from right-back and Kate Longhurst seen a seemingly legal strike ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

Liverpool took the lead through Asisat Oshoala, the Nigerian volleying Gemma Bonner’s cross over the line and then setting up Williams who made it 2-0.

Aoife Mannion pulled a goal back for Birmingham but it would finish 2-1 to Liverpool who picked up their first competitive win of the year.

The victory was marred only by an incident in the late stages of the game, Longhurst knocked out by a Remi Allen challenge and the no.7 took to Twitter after the game to reassure supporters that she was “absolutely fine, just had a nap on the pitch and got a little bump.”

Unfortunate not to pick up at least a point in this contest away at eventual league winners Chelsea Ladies, Eni Aluko audaciously chipping the ball over Libby Stout for the only goal of the game.

Aluko then gave Liverpool a chance to equalise, the referee awarding a penalty after Aluko handled Williams’ free kick in the area however, agonizingly, this pre-empted a rare miss from 12 yards from Williams as her spot kick struck the post.

Aside from the goal the Reds had contained Chelsea’s attackers well, Harris frustrating former teammate Gemma Davison and Bonner dealing superbly with the threat of PFA Player of the Year Ji So-Yun with countless well-timed challenges.

Matt Beard named an unchanged side for the third game running for this exciting, up-tempo clash.

City had the first real chance of the game – a free kick sailing into the arms of Stout – before Liverpool took the lead on 9 minutes, Oshoala prodding the ball over the line from Williams’ corner to score in her second successive home game.

On-loan Everton striker Nikita Parris loves a goal against Liverpool so it came as no surprise when she headed past Stout to equalise for the visitors who enjoyed a brief period on top in the game.

This was to be short lived as an excellent bit of play from the Reds saw Harris take a throw-in short to Dowie, she knocked the ball back out to Oshoala who hit a cross first time to Line Smorsgard to head the ball into the back of the net to lift Liverpool to 3rd in the league table after 4 games played.


Also in April: Emilie Revitt almost made her full international debut for Wales against Slovakia – the defender fully prepped and ready to take to the pitch before the 4th official informed the Welsh coaching staff they were unable to make any further changes. Revitt was an integral part of the club’s development side that lifted the league trophy in 2014/15 and unfortunately injured her ACL during pre-season for the 2015/16 campaign, ruling her out for the season. Due to have her operation in early 2016.

Former Liverpool youth player Yasmine Swarbrick capped a successful first season with Preston North End by opening the scoring in the FA Plate final as Preston lifted the trophy!

The last game before the mid-season (more of a quarter-season) break for the Women’s World Cup seen Liverpool once more defeated away from home – 3 successive defeats away from Widnes.

It could have been much different had Oshoala’s cross-shot not ended in the arms of Notts keeper Carly Telford in the opening minutes, as in the Chelsea game a couple of weeks earlier Liverpool dominated but ultimately left frustrated after a pair of former Everton players Alex Greenwood and Fern Whelan combined to nab the games only goal. 


In happier news, Liverpool’s development squad secured their 2014/15 league title with 2 games to spare with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Everton Ladies. Read a full season review on their campaign here.

Fara Williams would be Liverpool’s only representative for England at the Women’s World Cup in Canada and was an integral part of the team that came third, going further than England had gone before and winning the bronze medal after beating Germany 1-0 in the third place play-off.

The Reds midfielder featured in every game for England, playing 637 minutes of football across 7 games and playing a part in almost half of England’s goal – scoring 3 and assisting 2.

Her first goal came in the decisive group game again Colombia in Montreal – a game in which Williams was also named Player of the Match. 

This set up a Round of 16 clash with Norway in Ottawa where former Liverpool defender Lucy Bronze scored an eye opening winning goal to send the Lionesses into the quarter-finals for a tasty clash with host nation Canada.

England raced 2-0 ahead with goals from Jodie Taylor and another from Bronze, Canada legend Christine Sinclair pulled a goal back but England were into the semis to face Japan.

Williams once again scored from the spot to level the score as the tie looked poised to be headed into extra time, however it was to be heartbreak for England as Notts County’s Laura Bassett sent the ball into her own net in the 92nd minute.

The country rallied around the side as they prepared for the third place play off against the much-fancied Germans, the game went into extra time before Lianne Sanderson was fouled in the penalty area and Williams stepped up to coolly smash the ball past former FIFA World Player of the Year Nadine Angerer to ensure England returned home with the bronze medal.

Elsewhere at the World Cup Asisat Oshoala and Nigeria had found themselves drawn into the tournament’s ‘Group of Death’ alongside USA, Sweden and Australia and, after 1 draw and 2 defeats, the Super Falcons headed home.

Oshoala scored on her World Cup debut in their opening group game – the thrilling 3-3 draw against Sweden which was one of the games of the competition – but was unable to add to her tally as Nigeria were defeated 2-0 by Australia and 1-0 by eventual winners USA.

Just 3 days before returning to action Liverpool Ladies announced the signing of New Zealand international Rosie White, the forward had recently made 2 substitute appearances at the World Cup and would be the only signing of the summer.

Beth Mead opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the league leaders before Dowie scored the Dowie Goal of the Season to draw the scoreline level.

In the second-half Liverpool took the lead through Rosie White but were unable to hold onto this as Kelly McDougal’s late goal gave Sunderland a share of the points.

Dowie and White were initially rested for this Cup game however Durham proved a tough nut to crack and the duo were called from the bench in the second-half.

Liverpool had dominated the games chances and possession – Staniforth going closest, rattling the post with a fierce free kick.

10 minutes after her introduction Dowie scored her 4th goal of the competition to convert the hard-working Hodson’s cross and White was unlucky not to grab a second, denied only by the crossbar.

Late in the game Satara Murray made her return from injury.

Bottom of the table Bristol Academy were downed by 2 goals from the in-form Dowie.

A cagey opening from both sides had seen Bonner called into action, heading away a set piece, and an excellent block by Easton denying Jade Boho-Sayo.

Staniforth then had a free kick punched away from the bottom corner and White’s through ball towards Dowie was intercepted.

But it would be Liverpool who found the breakthrough, Staniforth’s looping ball over the defence met by Hodson, her strike batted away but Dowie making no mistakes with the rebound to put the Reds ahead.

Dowie then scored her second, a near-match for the goal against Durham: Hodon > Dowie > Goal. The no.9 was substituted shortly after to a great reception, the change no doubt with the crucial cup game against Sunderland days later in mind. 

Liverpool sealed their place in the Continental Cup quarter-finals with a game to spare as they beat Sunderland 2-nil in Widnes 4 days after beating Bristol by the same scoreline.

A mention here also for Liverpool’s defence, who recorded their 3rd consecutive clean sheet and 4th consecutive in this competition.

Talking of consecutive, Dowie also scored in her 5th consecutive game and her 4th consecutive of this competition. 

The no.9 scored and then assisted Katrin Omarsdottir to send Liverpool into the quarters.

The Reds were in form, alas fell to a defeat in a cup game that was essentially meaningless but disappointing to halt the run of good results. 

There were five changes to the Liverpool side that beat Sunderland days earlier, as Matt Beard chose to rest several players.

Toni Duggan scored from the spot and the impressive Isabel Christianson added a second.

Liverpool also suffered once more on the injury front, Becky Easton suffering a broken arm after a challenge from Duggan and, like Williams, unable to play any further part in 2015.

Arsenal came into this game looking to pile the pressure onto leaders Chelsea, the Gunners missed a first half penalty but struck twice in the second-half with Dominique Jannsen and Jordan Nobbs.

For Liverpool Katie Zelem had impressed, well positioned to defend 2 Arsenal corner and influential as the Reds pushed forward.

Manchester City picked up their 11th win in 12 games as goals from Izzy Christianson and Natasha Harding also kept them in the title race.

Elsewhere this month Kate Longhurst made an exceptional bid to be considered for the next Liverpool F.C. catalogue with these pictures posted on Twitter, unfortunately it wasn’t to be this time – the next catalogue will feature Gemma Bonner and Shannon Beckwith.

In the two years previous Liverpool had beaten Bristol on the final day of the league season to lift the league title, this time round it would be very different with Liverpool in 7th and Bristol already relegated in 8th.

Danielle Gibbons made her first appearance since recovering from brain surgery.

An own goal from Bristol after a Rosie White cross had initially equalised for the Reds however, determined to go down with a win, Bristol re-extended their lead to 4-1.

Natasha Dowie added a late consolation.

Following eliminating Liverpool from the Champions League, Brescia’s players threatened strike action against the Italian FA before the strike was called off. Read the full story here.


At the end of the month Liverpool revealed that Scott Rogers would be the new first-team manager, Rogers stepping up after working as assistant manager for Matt Beard since 2012.

The new boss told Sky Sports of his wish to bounce back from the disappointment of this season, saying that he wants “to play a slightly different way to the way Matt did. I’ve taken his good points, put them together with my good points and I hope that will be a very good combination.

“The players know my expectations, my standards are very, very high and I think they are more than capable of achieving them.”

Anfield hosted the 2015 Official Liverpool Ladies awards night in early November, the majority of the first team squad were in attendance as Natasha Dowie took home the Standard Chartered Supporters Player of the Year and Goal of the Season awards, Martha Harris picked up Players’ Player, Becky Easton awarded Vitality Player of the Season and Danielle Gibbons recognised with a Special Achievement award.

Awards photo gallery.

In the middle of the month the news broke that Liverpool no.1 Libby Stout would be leaving the club to join Matt Beard at Boston Breakers, Matt has also been joined there by former Red Whitney Engen.

Days later Liverpool released a statement announcing that two-time title winning duo Becky Easton and Katrin Omarsdottir along with Ingrid Ryland and Line Smorsgard had been released.

Read full articles on each players Liverpool careers here:

Becky Easton
Katrin Omarsdottir
Ingrid Ryland & Line Smorsgard

Saddened by the numerous departures Liverpool fans were soon uplifted by the new that 7 first team players had signed contract extensions with the club, each of Danielle Gibbons, Kate Longhurst, Ashley Hodson, Katie Zelem, Martha Harris, Rosie White and Gemma Bonner committing their future to the Reds.

Development Squad manager Vicky Jepson received the award for FA Female Development Coach of the Year for 2015, read the full article on the official LFC ladies website here.

Scott Rogers began to rebuild his Liverpool side in December, welcoming a trio of new signings: England international and former Arsenal, Notts County and Bristol Academy goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain arriving to contest Danielle Gibbons for the starting goalkeeper spot. Chamberlain made her World Cup debut in Canada this summer, a substitute appearance in the quarter-finals after no.1 Karen Bardsley suffered an allergic reaction and will no doubt be hoping to feature regularly for the Reds to also contest for the starting England spot.

Laura Coombs also arrived from Chelsea Ladies, the highly-rated midfielder arriving on a season-long loan after Chelsea signed Birmingham skipper Karen Carney. Coombs has previously played for Arsenal and is a regular for England youth teams, an exciting arrival for Liverpool supporters.

The first signing to be announced and not one to be underestimated was Wales captain Sophie Ingle, who arrives from Bristol Academy. Ingle played alongside Gemma Bonner and Kate Longhurst at Chelsea and can play in defence or midfield, a solid acquisition to the squad.

On Wednesday 30 December Fara Williams was named on the New Years Honours list as Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), the most capped England player of all-time recognised for her efforts during the World Cup and rounding off a hugely successful year. 

Mayumi Pacheco became Liverpool Ladies youngest ever player when she made a substitute appearance in the opening league game against Sunderland, aged just 16 at the time Maz would go on to feature in many more games over the course of the season.

With regular left-back Corina Schroder missing most of the season through injury, Pacheco proved herself to be a more than reliable back-up and her performances grew in stature as the year grew on. 

Still only 17-years old and recently receiving a call-up for England’s U19s after representing her country at both U16 and U17 level, Pacheco was the runaway winner in votes for Young Player of the Season and will undoubtedly be a big player for club and country. 

Read a great interview with the defender here (where she reveals Liverpool actually turned her down after trials at the age of 12!). Maz eventually got into the U15s before winning The FA Youth Cup with the U17s and the league with the Development Squad and made her first team debut in March.

Ashley Hodson also made her mark on the first team following her return from knee surgery while Katie Zelem continues to impress, both will be crucial as Liverpool go into 2016.

Development striker Kirsty joined Liverpool from Manchester United’s Centre of Excellence earlier this year, making her debut as a substitute in the away defeat at Manchester City – almost pulling a goal back with her first touch seconds after taking to the field.

Kirsty scored on her first full start, during the 7-0 demolition of Durham in May, and has 5 goals in 6 games since October. The forward is also a regular for Scotland’s youth sides, recently marking her U19s debut with a goal.

Perhaps an indication of how highly regarded she is at the club, Kirsty was named in Liverpool’s recent Champions League squad and makes quite the commitment travelling from Yorkshire for training twice a week and of course match days.

U17s captain Niamh has risen through the ranks at Liverpool – winning Players’ Player of the Year while with the U15s in 2014 – and regularly features for England U17s; in the middle of December travelling to Germany with the team, beating France while there by an impressive 4 goals to nil. 

Niamh took over the captaincy for the Reds U17s after Summer made the step up to development level and has overseen a hugely successful campaign so far – Liverpool sit top of the league, 5 points clear with a game in hand over nearest rivals Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers.

This season so far the no.7 has averaged a goal a game, with 7 in 7 appearances and including a well-taken penalty in the final game before the mid-season break.

A superb strike that has criminally been missed off the league’s official Goal of the Season short list, this goal is Williams at her best; charging forward from a deep midfield position, receiving the ball from Natasha Dowie and expertly guiding the ball past Emma Byrne in the Arsenal goal.

Natasha Dowie’s goals, Lucy Staniforth’s return after 2 years out, Kate Longhurst’s impromptu photoshoot, Fara Williams bossing it at the World Cup in Canada, Maz Pacheco becoming Liverpool’s youngest ever player and the entire game against Arsenal have all been notable highlights from 2015.

However some things are greater and bigger than football and therefore Danielle Gibbons’ return to the first team at the tail end of the season after recovering from brain surgery during the summer to remove a benign tumour has been the highlight of the year. Before her return to the side Gibbons gave an interview to LFC magazine, telling them that she had lost hearing on one side and therefore has had to rebuild her balance.

The keeper is the Reds longest serving player and it was inspiring to see her take back to the pitch in a Liverpool shirt.

Danielle has also said she wants to raise awareness and support others who are diagnosed with acoustic neuromas. For more information or to support the British Acoustic Neuroma Association’s fundraising efforts, visit the BANA website here.

THE ANFIELD WRAP: CHAMPIONS is a show available to subscribers of TAW Player, it is the first club-specific women’s football podcast. You can sign up and listen back to each of the podcasts from this season using the links below.

2 April 2015 (free) – NEIL ATKINSON and Heather Carroll are joined firstly by LFC Ladies goalkeeper Danielle Gibbons and then by Gareth Roberts to discuss Liverpool Ladies 2-1 win against Birmingham City Ladies on Wednesday. LISTEN HERE. 

30 April 2015 – NEIL ATKINSON is joined by the Liverpool Echo’s Andy Kelly and TAW Liverpool Ladies correspondent Heather Carroll to talk about the Ladies’ games against Chelsea and specifically Manchester City. LISTEN HERE. 

29 July 2015 – NEIL ATKINSON is joined by Heather Carroll and Gareth Roberts to discuss the World Cup, the last four games for Liverpool Ladies and getting clarification on how the FA WSL Continental Tyres competition works. LISTEN HERE.

21 August 2015 – NEIL ATKINSON and Heather Carroll are joined by John Gibbons and The Echo’s Andy Kelly to discuss Liverpool Ladies progress over the last few weeks and especially their 1-0 victory over Durham. LISTEN HERE.

31 August 2015 – IT might as well be renamed the Natasha Dowie show this week. She has been in excellent form and is discussed at length by Neil Atkinson, Heather Carroll, John Gibbons and Gareth Roberts along with Liverpool’s progression in the Continental Tyres Cup, the Champions League draw against Brescia and the victory against Bristol Academy. LISTEN HERE.

20 September 2015 – NEIL ATKINSON is joined by John Gibbons and Heather Carroll to talk about two league defeats and a cup win, plus four goals in a game for Natasha Dowie.
Semi finals here we come. Might still be Champions yet. LISTEN HERE.

16 October 2015 – FIVE LFC Ladies games to cover and all of them, sadly, defeats. Neil Atkinson is joined by Heather Carroll, Gareth Roberts and John Gibbons to wade through how a promising season petered out for The Reds. They also analyse what might be next for the LFC Ladies, and how the team can push forward in seasons to come. And they say tara to outgoing, double league title winning, manager Matt Beard. LISTEN HERE.