JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
- 29 Comments
Nine victories and nine losses. 24 goals were conceded, compared to three.
Readings from Liverpool and West Ham United’s Women’s Super League (WSL) combined are very bleak.
It appears that two of the league’s mainstays will be scrapping to avoid finishing 12th after almost a quarter of the season has already passed.
Both parties will be grateful that automatic relegation exists. The bottom team will face the third-place finisher in WSL2 for a top-flight spot next year as the WSL grows to 14 teams in 2026-27.
Two teams who, despite their status and history, appear unfit for this campaign will find little relief from that.
Although their records are similar to those of others, there are also differences in how they struggle. The main issues with Liverpool, the two-time top flight champion, lie in their attack, and West Ham also has defensive issues.
Gareth Taylor, who replaced Matt Beard in the summer, was hired by the Reds for this campaign.
Many members of the squad, who knew and played under him, will undoubtedly have had an impact due to Beard’s sudden passing, which caused the postponement of Liverpool’s WSL game at Aston Villa.
Taylor also had to make up for Olivia Smith in terms of football. The Canadian forward made seven league goals in her final season, but she became the first million-dollar player to leave Arsenal for the summer.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
Complete dissatisfaction and frustration
The Reds’ 4-1 home defeat at home against Everton on day one appears to be a fluke. Liverpool has only lost one league game with more than two goals in the previous 12 minutes thanks to Cornelia Kapocs.
And they seem to be getting closer to a solution to the drought than ever. Liverpool only had three shots in the second half against the London City Lionesses.
Jenna Clark, the defender, later remarked, “The feeling is complete disappointment and frustration.”
“We did control the game’s spells, but in the second half, we didn’t do enough, and we ultimately just didn’t do enough to win.”
We are still trying to find our feet as a new team, new manager, and. There is no justification for it; we should still be working hard to compete and win games. That we’re not doing that at this time is really disappointing.
Mia Enderby, 20, made no threats as she faced London City on the first try. Sophie Roman Haug only started the match in the 90th minute off the bench, while Summer signing Beata Olsson offered little more as a second-half substitute.
Taylor’s strategy plays a role. He used a 4-1-4-1 system, where it appeared as though the main goal was to completely eliminate all creativity or entertainment from the spectacle, against both Manchester United and London City.
The players are working their very best, the players are all working extremely hard, but we are currently suffering, the ex-Manchester City manager said.
“We need to get a little fitter, and fitness levels probably need to be looked at.” And also be able to consistently sprint in the direction that we want to, which can take time, especially if we’re trying to change our club’s approach and introduce a new playing style.
These uninspired and lifeless displays were the result of the manager’s choices, though.
Although most newly promoted teams have better management and resources, the sight of Liverpool clinging on for a point all afternoon at Hayes Lane was still unsettling.
Hammers are known to have “an appetite for self-destruction.”
The first Villa goal demonstrated their struggles. Kirsty Hanson was given the freedom to sweep a shot into the far corner of Dagenham by a short-corner routine that was performed without any pressure.
Rehanne Skinner, the manager, said, “It’s only those minor moments that have basically cost us the game.”
They are self-destructing in an abundance. A team that is low on confidence can be seen in the three goals conceded in Chelsea’s seven minutes, followed by two in seven at home to Villa on Sunday.
The Hammers are also having a goal fight, just like Liverpool. Viviane Asseyi, who scored 13 in 2024-25, struggled as well, while Shekira Martinez, who scored 10 in 12 WSL matches last year, has yet to register and spurned the best chance against Villa.
In the final third, Skinner said, “We were a little hesitant with some of the decisions.”
Since Skinner took over the reins two seasons ago, West Ham has had issues under her leadership.
Two of their three league victories came against relegated Bristol City in 2023-24. After losing five games last term, they were also at the bottom before a rebound in the second half of the campaign secured their victory.
Skinner stated at her media conference last week that she was “not concerned about the table.”
Many people want to talk about it in that manner because we finished last season very well, but it’s still very early,” she said.
However, this appears to be their most difficult WSL campaign to date, after six seasons of keeping their head above water and only placing in the top half.
Liverpool finished fourth two years ago, but if things stay that way, it will be remembered in 2020.
related subjects
- Football
- Women’s Football
