Liverpool Women face reality check as winless WSL start continues
Liverpool Women are staring at a harsh reality check after slipping to the bottom of the 2024-25 Women’s Super League (WSL) table with no points from their opening three fixtures. Manager Gareth Taylor, who took over the reins in July, admitted the early season slump has “forced us to look at where we are and what we need to change” during a press conference at the club’s training ground on Sunday.
The Reds, who have yet to register a win this campaign, sit on zero points after narrow defeats to Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion and a 2-0 loss at home to Arsenal. The lack of goals and a porous defence have left fans and the board questioning whether the squad can bounce back before the winter break.
Key Details
The Women’s Super League comprises 12 clubs playing a double round‑robin format, meaning each side will contest 22 matches before the title is decided in May. Liverpool entered the season with a refreshed squad, bolstered by the signings of midfielder Jodie Brett and striker Lauren James, both expected to add firepower to a side that finished 9th last season.
Gareth Taylor, a former England youth international, has been tasked with rebuilding a team that missed out on the 2023 FA Cup final and struggled to retain its place among the league’s elite. The manager’s first three games saw Liverpool concede five goals while failing to find the net, a statistic that has intensified scrutiny on his tactical set‑up.
Analysis and Background
Historically, Liverpool Women have been a mid‑table fixture in the WSL, with their best finish being 5th in the 2021-22 season. However, the club’s recent years have been marked by a revolving door of managers and limited investment compared with rivals such as Manchester City and Arsenal, who boast deeper squads and larger budgets.
Statistically, Liverpool’s defensive frailties are evident: they have allowed an average of 1.67 goals per game, the highest in the league after three rounds. Offensively, the side has created just 12 chances, highlighting a lack of penetration in the final third. Taylor’s preferred 4-3-3 formation has struggled to adapt to the high‑pressing style of the league’s top clubs, prompting speculation that a switch to a more compact 4-2-3-1 could provide the defensive solidity required.
Supporters, who filled Anfield’s training ground for the recent home match against Arsenal, remain hopeful. The club’s youth academy has produced talents like midfielder Katie McCabe, who could be given a larger role to inject energy and creativity.
Looking Ahead
Liverpool’s next challenge arrives on 21 October when they travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford. A positive result could lift them off the bottom and restore confidence ahead of a crucial clash with title‑contenders Chelsea later in November.
Meanwhile, the club’s board has indicated that a review of recruitment policy will take place during the upcoming international break, with an emphasis on adding experienced defenders and a proven goal‑scorer. Fans will be watching closely to see whether Taylor’s adjustments can translate into points before the league’s midway point.
Should Liverpool manage to secure a win in the next two fixtures, the narrative could shift from crisis to resurgence, keeping their season‑long survival hopes alive.
In the unforgiving world of top‑flight women’s football, early setbacks can be decisive, but with strategic tweaks and a renewed belief, Liverpool Women still have the opportunity to rewrite their story this season.
