The Reds will need to fill the manager role on a permanent basis, as well as look to tie down some key players and bring in depth at several positions.
The Liverpool FC Women are coming off of a tumultuous season that saw them finish a disappointing seventh in the WSL while also seeing Matt Beard removed from the manager role in March. Like every summer in the Women’s game, where many players are on one or two year contracts, there are some key contracts to hopefully renew, as well as several positions to strengthen or fine depth. With a training facility and stadium fully situated for the long term, the club should be able to fully focus on building out a squad. Below we take a look at some of the key items for the Liverpool leadership to (hopefully) sort out.
Find A Permanent Manager
First and foremost, Liverpool need to identify the permanent successor for Matt Beard. Amber Whiteley took over on an interim role for the second time with Liverpool to see the season out. Whiteley has stated her interest in the permanent role, and had decent results during the run in. She is a known quantity and is well liked in the dressing room. Whiteley is currently serving as the assistant manager for Ireland during the Euro’s this summer.
Liverpool have stated they will conduct a full search for a permanent manager, however, and other’s will likely be brought in for an interview. A big question, both for club leadership and potential managers, is if Liverpool are looking to spend to be competitive or expecting to work within the constrained budget that had Matt Beard voicing his frustration over before his exit.
Identify And Keep The Core
With clubs rarely announcing the length (or amount) of contracts, it’s hard to say for sure who may have an expiring contract this summer, but it is believed that several key players, including Ceri Holland, Fuka Nagano, Sophie Roman Haug, and Taylor Hinds are will need new signatures.
Holland and Nagano are part of the midfield core, and are likely priorities for the club. Sophie Roman Haug was signed for a then club record deal two summers ago, and has proven to be a handful in the air. The Norwegian striker has struggled to provide a consistent threat in front of net, however, with 10 goals and 5 assists across 35 WSL appearances. She averaged a goal or an assist every 177 minutes, and it still remains to be seen how well she can mesh with the new club record signing Olivia Smith.
Hinds has served as the primary club captain the past two seasons. She has been a strong playmaker at times, especially when deployed as a wingback. She has had some defensive struggles, however, and has been outpaced more than a few times down the wing.
Leanne Kiernan and Mia Enderby are also believed to have expiring contracts. Kiernan has had a long journey back from a severe injury, but the Irishwoman had some strong performances towards the end of this season. Enderby is still working to earn regular minutes, but the young attacker has shown her electric talent at times when given a chance.
Find A Fullback (Or Two)
Liverpool never addressed the departure of Emma Koivisto last year, instead relying upon the young and unproven Lucy Parry and a cast of players who are not really right backs to full the role. Parry ended up dealing with an achilles issue for most of the year, leaving center backs Grace Fisk and Jenna Clark to fill the void. On the other flank, Taylor Hinds was ever present, but she had her share of troubles on the defensive end. Hinds has served as captain, but is not a vocal leader on the pitch.
Who Is The Goalkeeper Of The Future?
With Teagan Micah moving on this summer, Liverpool will again be looking to identify the successor for 34 year old Rachael Laws. Laws won back to starting gloves from Micah midway through the season, but is not the answer for the long term. Faye Kirby is the only other senior team goalkeeper on the squad, and she has only recently returned from an ACL injury and is relatively unproven. The Reds will likely be looking for someone who can challenge Laws sooner rather than later.
Build Squad Depth
Liverpool were hit hard by the injury bug last season. They were thin at both central midfield and fullback and suffered significant injuries in both areas that caused general upheaval as players were played out of position to cover. Several players were brought in on loan during the winter window to help fill the squad out, but it was too little too late. Hopefully the club will ensure they have quality depth across all units in the squad before going into next season.