2020–21 Liverpool F.C. Women season

Liverpool
2020–21 season
Head coachVicky Jepson
(until 12 January)
Amber Whiteley (interim)
(from 12 January)
StadiumPrenton Park, Birkenhead
Championship3rd
FA CupFourth round
League CupGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Rinsola Babajide and Rachel Furness (5)
All: Rachel Furness (7)

The 2020–21 Liverpool F.C. Women season was the club's 32nd season of competitive football and its first season outside the FA WSL, the highest level of the football pyramid, since the league's foundation.[1] Along with competing in the FA Women's Championship, the club also contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Niamh Fahey was announced as captain on 17 August 2020, replacing Sophie Bradley-Auckland who took a leave of absence in order to focus on the running of her family's residential care home business amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rachel Furness was named vice-captain.[2]

Manager Vicky Jepson departed the club by mutual consent on 12 January 2021 with the club sat in 3rd place in the league. She had been in charge since October 2018 having first joined the club as a programme lead for the LFC Foundation in 2009.[3] Assistant manager Amber Whiteley assumed the role on an interim basis.[4]

Squad

As of 28 February 2021.[5][6]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG Rachael Laws
2 DF England ENG Becky Jane
3 DF England ENG Leighanne Robe
4 MF Wales WAL Rhiannon Roberts
5 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Niamh Fahey (captain)
6 DF England ENG Sophie Bradley-Auckland
7 FW England ENG Jessica Clarke
8 MF England ENG Jade Bailey
9 FW Denmark DEN Amalie Thestrup
10 FW England ENG Rinsola Babajide
11 MF England ENG Melissa Lawley
12 DF England ENG Taylor Hinds
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 GK Canada CAN Rylee Foster
14 FW England ENG Ashley Hodson
15 DF New Zealand NZL Meikayla Moore
18 MF Wales WAL Ceri Holland
19 MF England ENG Amy Rodgers
21 MF England ENG Missy Bo Kearns
24 FW England ENG Kirsty Linnett
27 MF Northern Ireland NIR Rachel Furness (vice-captain)
30 MF England ENG Emily Brough
32 DF England ENG Lucy Parry
GK England ENG Eleanor Heeps
FW England ENG Mia Ross

Pre-season

Liverpool scheduled five preseason games ahead of their debut FA Women's Championship campaign, putting particular focus on playing Coventry United away in order to acclimate themselves to the 3G surface that five Championship teams play on. All games were behind closed doors in order to fit with COVID-19 health restrictions.[7]

9 August 2020 Friendly Liverpool Blackburn Rovers
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Note: No official scoreline released
12 August 2020 Friendly Liverpool Reading
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Note: No official scoreline released
16 August 2020 Friendly Liverpool Brighton & Hove Albion Birkenhead
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Note: No official scoreline released
23 August 2020 Friendly Coventry United 1–4 Liverpool Coventry
  • Merrick
Report Stadium: Butts Park Arena
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
30 August 2020 Friendly Manchester United 0–0 Liverpool Leigh
Report Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

FA Women's Championship

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
20 11 6 3 37 15  +22 39 6 3 1 24 6  +18 5 3 2 13 9  +4

Last updated: 2 May 2021.
Source: FA WSL

Results

6 September 2020 1 Liverpool 1–1 Durham Birkenhead
14:00
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Oliver
13 September 2020 2 London Bees 0–3 Liverpool Canons Park
14:00
Report
Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Sarah Garratt
27 September 2020 3 Liverpool 4–0 Charlton Athletic Birkenhead
14:00
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Melissa Burgin
4 October 2020 4 Coventry United 1–2 Liverpool Coventry
14:00 Report
Stadium: Butts Park Arena
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
11 October 2020 5 Leicester City 2–1 Liverpool Quorn
14:00
Report
Stadium: Farley Way Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy-Ann Briggs
1 November 2020 6 Lewes 2–2 Liverpool Lewes
12:00
Report Stadium: The Dripping Pan
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Jane Simms
8 November 2020 7 Liverpool 1–0 Sheffield United Birkenhead
14:00
Report Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Daniel Locker
15 November 2020 8 Blackburn Rovers 0–0 Liverpool Bamber Bridge
14:00 Report Stadium: Sir Tom Finney Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Cristiana Hattersley
6 December 2020 9 Liverpool 4–0 Crystal Palace Birkenhead
14:00
Report Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 192
Referee: Richard Aspinall
13 December 2020 10 London City Lionesses 0–1 Liverpool Dartford
14:00
Report
Stadium: Princes Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Georgia Ball
20 December 2020 11 Durham 2–0 Liverpool Durham
12:00
Report
Stadium: Maiden Castle
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: James Westgate
17 January 2021 12 Liverpool 1–2 Leicester City Birkenhead
14:00
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Chloe Ann-Anderson
7 February 2021 13 Charlton Athletic 2–2 Liverpool Crayford
14:00
Report
Stadium: The Oakwood
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Jordan Gibson
28 February 2021 14 Liverpool 3–0 London Bees Birkenhead
14:00
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lauren Impey
7 March 2021 15 Crystal Palace 0–1 Liverpool Bromley
14:00 Report
Stadium: Hayes Lane
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy May
14 March 2021 16 Liverpool 5–0 Coventry United Birkenhead
14:00
Report Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Anne-Briggs
28 March 2021 17 Liverpool 1–1 Blackburn Rovers Birkenhead
18:30
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Amy Barber
4 April 2021 18 Liverpool 2–0 Lewes Birkenhead
12:00
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Declan Brown
25 April 2021 19 Sheffield United 0–1 Liverpool Chesterfield
14:00 Report
Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Magdalena Golba
2 May 2021 20 Liverpool 2–2 London City Lionesses Birkenhead
14:00
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lauren Impey

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Leicester City (C, P) 20 16 2 2 54 16 +38 50 Promotion to the WSL[a]
2 Durham 20 12 6 2 34 15 +19 42
3 Liverpool 20 11 6 3 37 15 +22 39
4 Sheffield United 20 11 5 4 37 15 +22 38
5 Lewes 20 8 4 8 19 22 −3 28
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ Dependent on obtaining a licence.

Women's FA Cup

As a member of the top two tiers, Liverpool will enter the FA Cup in the fourth round proper. Originally scheduled to take place on 31 January 2021, it was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.[8][9]

18 April 2021 Fourth round Leicester City 1–0 Liverpool Quorn
14:00
Report Stadium: Farley Way Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

FA Women's League Cup

7 October 2020 Group stage Liverpool 3–1 Manchester United Birkenhead
14:00
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Rebecca Walsh
4 November 2020 Group stage Liverpool 0–3 Manchester City Birkenhead
14:00 Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Sarah Garratt
18 November 2020 Group stage Everton 1–0 Liverpool Liverpool
19:00 Report Stadium: Walton Hall Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Pos Team Pld W WPEN LPEN L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MCI EVE LIV MNU
1 Manchester City 3 2 0 1 0 6 1 +5 7 Advanced to knock-out stage 3–1
2 Everton 3 2 0 0 1 3 3 0 6 Possible knock-out stage based on ranking 1–0 1–0
3 Liverpool 3 1 0 0 2 3 5 −2 3 0–3 3–1
4 Manchester United 3 0 1 0 2 1 4 −3 2 0–0
Source: thefa.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record

Squad statistics

Appearances

As of 2 May 2021

Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.

No. Pos Nat Player Total League FA Cup League Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England ENG Rachael Laws 19 0 17+1 0 1 0 0 0
2 DF England ENG Becky Jane 16 3 12+2 3 0+1 0 1 0
3 DF England ENG Leighanne Robe 17 0 12+1 0 1 0 3 0
4 MF Wales WAL Rhiannon Roberts 22 0 19 0 1 0 2 0
5 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Niamh Fahey 23 3 19 3 0+1 0 3 0
6 DF England ENG Sophie Bradley-Auckland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 FW England ENG Jessica Clarke 12 1 4+6 1 0 0 2 0
8 MF England ENG Jade Bailey 15 1 11+1 1 1 0 2 0
9 FW Denmark DEN Amalie Thestrup 21 4 12+5 4 1 0 2+1 0
10 FW England ENG Rinsola Babajide 15 6 11+1 5 0 0 2+1 1
11 MF England ENG Melissa Lawley 23 3 14+5 3 1 0 3 0
12 DF England ENG Taylor Hinds 24 0 20 0 1 0 3 0
13 GK Canada CAN Rylee Foster 6 0 3 0 0 0 3 0
14 FW England ENG Ashley Hodson 14 0 9+3 0 0 0 1+1 0
15 DF New Zealand NZL Meikayla Moore 19 2 11+4 2 1 0 2+1 0
18 MF Wales WAL Ceri Holland 8 3 5+2 3 0+1 0 0 0
19 MF England ENG Amy Rodgers 16 3 10+4 3 1 0 0+1 0
21 MF England ENG Missy Bo Kearns 19 2 8+7 2 1 0 1+2 0
24 FW England ENG Kirsty Linnett 15 1 8+5 1 1 0 1 0
27 MF Northern Ireland NIR Rachel Furness 19 7 13+3 5 0 0 2+1 2
30 MF England ENG Emily Brough 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
32 DF England ENG Lucy Parry 8 0 2+3 0 0+1 0 0+2 0
GK England ENG Eleanor Heeps 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England ENG Mia Ross 1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0

Transfers

Transfers in

Date Position Nationality Name From Ref.
7 July 2020 GK England Rachael Laws England Reading [10]
16 July 2020 DF England Taylor Hinds England Everton [11]
17 July 2020 FW Denmark Amalie Thestrup Italy Roma [12]
28 August 2020 DF New Zealand Meikayla Moore Germany MSV Duisburg [13]
28 January 2021 MF Wales Ceri Holland United States Kansas Jayhawks [14]

Transfers out

Date Position Nationality Name To Ref.
23 May 2020 FW England Courtney Sweetman-Kirk England Sheffield United [15][16]
29 May 2020 GK Germany Anke Preuß Sweden Vittsjö [17][18]
30 May 2020 MF Scotland Christie Murray England Birmingham City [19][20]
2 June 2020 GK England Fran Kitching England Sheffield United [21][22]
19 June 2020 FW England Niamh Charles England Chelsea [23][24]
2 July 2020 DF England Jemma Purfield England Bristol City [25][26]

References

  1. ^ "Liverpool Ladies FC club history". Liverpool Ladies FC. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Niamh Fahey named new captain of Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC.
  3. ^ "Vicky Jepson: Liverpool Women's manager leaves club by mutual consent". Sky Sports.
  4. ^ "Liverpool FC Women club statement". Liverpool FC.
  5. ^ "LIVERPOOL FC WOMEN". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  6. ^ Kelly, Andy (5 August 2019). "Niamh Fahey appointed vice-captain of Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  7. ^ "LFC Women to commence pre-season fixtures on Sunday". Liverpool FC.
  8. ^ "The Women's FA Cup Season 2020–21 List of Exemptions" (PDF). thefa.com. The Football Association. 10 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Women's FA Cup to remain suspended during coronavirus lockdown". Sky Sports.
  10. ^ "Liverpool FC Women complete Rachael Laws signing". Liverpool FC.
  11. ^ "Taylor Hinds joins Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC.
  12. ^ "Amalie Thestrup signs for Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC.
  13. ^ "Liverpool FC Women complete signing of Meikayla Moore". Liverpool FC.
  14. ^ "LFC Women complete signing of midfielder Ceri Holland". Liverpool FC.
  15. ^ "Liverpool FC Women confirm Courtney Sweetman-Kirk departure". www.liverpoolfc.com.
  16. ^ "Courtney Sweetman-Kirk signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  17. ^ "Anke Preuss to leave Liverpool FC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
  18. ^ "Vittsjö värvar Anke Preuss från Liverpool efter skadan". www.expressen.se (in Swedish).
  19. ^ "Christie Murray to leave Liverpool FC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
  20. ^ "Christie Murray joins Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  21. ^ "Fran Kitching to depart Liverpool FC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
  22. ^ "Fran Kitching signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  23. ^ "Niamh Charles departs Liverpool FC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
  24. ^ "Chelsea FC Women recruit Niamh Charles". www.chelseafc.com.[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ "Jemma Purfield departs LFC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
  26. ^ "Jemma Purfield is a Robin". Bristol City.