Liverpool’s 2025 Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign has unravelled into a crisis few expected. With just one point from seven matches, the two-time WSL champions sit second from bottom, above West Ham only on goal difference.
A 1-1 draw with Brighton last weekend offered brief respite, but with fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal looming before Christmas, the Reds face the prospect of ending the year anchored to the foot of the table.
So how did Liverpool — a club with a decorated women’s football history — find themselves here, and can Gareth Taylor’s side recover before it’s too late?
Liverpool’s struggles have deep roots. When the club was relegated from the WSL in 2020, the finger of blame pointed squarely at a lack of investment in the women’s team. Although the club has since made structural improvements — relocating to the refurbished Melwood training centre and upgrading matchday facilities at St Helens Stadium — their spending still lags behind the division’s elite.
The Reds have broken their club transfer record three times in the past five years, but the financial gulf between them and Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City has widened. Under the ownership of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s women’s team operates under the same self-sustaining, “sell-to-buy” philosophy that underpins the men’s side — a model that has delivered success at Anfield, but has yet to translate effectively in the WSL.
This summer, Liverpool sold Olivia Smith to Arsenal for a record £1m, after signing the Canadian forward for just £200,000 the previous year. The departure of vice-captain Taylor Hinds, also to Arsenal, further weakened the squad.
While the club insists that the proceeds from Smith’s sale will be reinvested in January, the bulk of their summer budget was consumed by compensation paid to Manchester City when appointing Gareth Taylor — following a contractual dispute after his March dismissal.
With Taylor arriving only four weeks before the season opener, Liverpool’s recruitment window was chaotic, culminating in three deadline-day signings and a squad still short on quality and depth.
New appointments — including managing director Andy O’Boyle, head of recruitment Rob Clarkson, and technical coordinator Niamh Fahey — have been tasked with stabilising operations ahead of the January window. But as Taylor bluntly admitted:
“This team needs help. We lost players from last season and haven’t replaced them.”
Liverpool’s problems have extended beyond the pitch. Season-ending ACL injuries to Sophie Roman Haug and Marie Hobinger have stripped Taylor of two of his most influential players.
Off the field, the club was rocked by the sudden deaths of former manager Matt Beard and long-time kit man Jonathan Humble, tragedies that have cast a shadow over the dressing room.
“It’s been a really tough time,” said season ticket holder Philippa Smallwood. “Matt was a mentor to many of the players, and losing the kit man on top of that added to the emotional strain. It’s been difficult for everyone involved.”
Taylor has spoken candidly about the emotional toll:
“No course can prepare you for what we’ve been through. But tough times make you stronger. Worrying isn’t worth it — we just have to keep going and fight for each other.”
On the pitch, Liverpool’s identity is in transition. Taylor was brought in to modernise the team’s style — shifting from a direct, defensive setup to a possession-based approach focused on control and fluidity.
However, the late appointment meant he missed the opportunity for a full pre-season, leaving players adapting on the fly to new tactical demands.
Supporters like Smallwood see signs of progress:
“The passing has been some of the best I’ve seen in years. You can tell what Taylor’s trying to build — but it’s going to take time. The lack of pre-season and injuries have really hurt us.”
Players such as Fuka Nagano are beginning to thrive under Taylor’s system, but results remain elusive. Liverpool have already dropped 11 points from winning positions, suggesting a team struggling to translate potential into consistency.
Defender Jenna Clark echoed that sentiment after the Brighton draw:
“We’ve shown it in spells every game — it just hasn’t clicked yet. But this is a step in the right direction.”
Taylor insists that Liverpool must resist the temptation to abandon their long-term vision in pursuit of short-term results.
“We need to trust that it will get better,” he said. “Going away from what we’re trying to build — that’s not why I was brought here. The club wanted a new way of working, and we’ll keep fighting for points without compromising that.”
Yet patience may be running thin. Liverpool’s fanbase, historically loyal but expectant, knows that January could be pivotal. A failure to strengthen adequately could turn a transitional season into a survival battle.
For now, Taylor’s message is one of calm resilience — but the coming months will test whether philosophy alone is enough to steady a sinking ship.
Analysis Summary: Liverpool’s seven-game winless run stems from three converging factors: years of relative underinvestment, a turbulent managerial transition, and a run of devastating injuries and off-field tragedies. While Gareth Taylor’s appointment signals a shift toward modernisation, the club’s execution — from late recruitment to limited squad depth — has undermined progress.
If Liverpool can reinforce effectively in January and rediscover momentum, their long-term strategy may still bear fruit. If not, one of English women’s football’s founding powers risks another painful step backward.
