Liverpool’s Resurgence: Navigating Challenges to Find Form

omidbasir- Liverpool Women’s Football Club has encountered unexpected challenges this season, with their first league victory coming on January 25, 2026. Early signs of a slow start were evident during the summer, especially with the late appointment of head coach Taylor on August 8, following his previous dismissal from Manchester City in March. Taylor aimed to introduce a distinctive style of play to make Liverpool the best pressing team in Europe, a transition complicated by the timing of his recruitment, which left players struggling to adapt before the Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign commenced.

The squad’s low morale, stemming from a disappointing finish to the previous season, exacerbated the situation. Under interim manager Amber Whiteley, the team secured only one victory in their last seven matches, following the departure of Matt Beard in February. The retirement of club captain Niamh Fahey, coupled with the transfers of vice-captain Hinds and top-scorer Smith to Arsenal, further weakened the squad, while Liverpool’s attempts to fill these gaps fell short.

Despite expectations that the record fee from Smith’s transfer would enhance the squad, the payment structure involved installments, with most of the summer budget allocated to compensation for Taylor’s hiring due to contractual obligations. Notably, four of the eight summer signings occurred before Taylor took the helm, complicating his efforts to implement his tactical vision. As a result, two of those early signings have since left—Emilia Szymczak returned to Barcelona, and goalkeeper Rafaela Borggrafe was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen. While Beata Olsson has shown promise with five goals in seven league matches, the overall impact of new arrivals has been mixed.

Injuries have compounded the team’s difficulties. Key players such as Marie Hobinger and striker Sophie Roman Haug have sustained ACL injuries, sidelining them for the season. New signing Samantha Kerr has also been unavailable since November due to a back issue, and additional injuries to Anna Josendal and Sofie Lundgaard have further strained the squad. This injury crisis left Liverpool with only two senior outfield players available for bench options during a League Cup match against Chelsea, resulting in a heavy 9-1 defeat.

The emotional toll of recent losses has also weighed heavily on the team. The passing of former manager Matt Beard on September 20 and the subsequent death of first-team kitman Jonathan Humble have profoundly impacted the club and its personnel, likely influencing their on-field performance.

However, recent developments have begun to foster a turnaround, particularly through a productive January transfer window. Liverpool secured six new signings, several of whom are making immediate contributions. Goalkeeper Jennifer Falk has maintained clean sheets in her initial three matches, while Alice Bergstrom has scored three goals, helping to address offensive challenges. The team secured a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, lifting them off the bottom of the WSL table for the first time since November.

This recent success marks Liverpool’s second win in three league outings and reflects a broader trend, with the team losing only one of their last five matches. It is evident that the players are starting to adapt to Taylor’s desired style, as performance levels have improved alongside results. Supporting this positive shift are encouraging statistics: Liverpool’s expected goals (xG) have consistently surpassed one in four of their last five matches, indicating a significant uptick in attacking efficiency compared to the earlier part of the season.

Defensively, there have also been strides. After conceding high xG figures earlier in the season, Liverpool has kept their xG against under two in all four league matches since the new year, indicating improved defensive organization. This has allowed the team to maintain more leads, a marked improvement from earlier in the season where they relinquished numerous points from winning positions.

While Liverpool’s current standings see them just above Leicester City, who occupy a relegation play-off spot with a game in hand, the two-time WSL champions appear more capable of securing their place in the top flight. As Taylor continues to implement his unique style, the club looks to build on this momentum as the season progresses.