When Jurgen Klopp was celebrating his and Liverpool’s first Premier League title in the summer of 2020, the contrasting fortunes of the club’s women’s team was not lost on him.
It was not until their promotion in April 2022, two years after their relegation to the Championship, that Klopp spoke out publicly.
‘Liverpool was not in the last years famous for treating or dealing with the women’s football outstandingly well. They didn’t go down to the Championship for no reason.
Liverpool copped their fair share of criticism for allowing their women’s team – who won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 – to spiral down the table and into the second tier. Rightly so. It is more than a tad embarrassing that Liverpool’s name sits alongside Reading, Birmingham and Bristol City – whose men’s teams are in the Championship – as the last four clubs to have been relegated from the WSL.
Liverpool’s men’s team won the Premier League for the first time in 2020
The women’s team were relegated in the same season, but have now turned thing around under manager Matt Beard (pictured)
That is perhaps the reason they have not been afforded as much praise as they deserve for their successes. After failing to bounce back at the first attempt, Liverpool hired their former title-winning manager Matt Beard.
Promotion followed. So did limited recognition. A club the size of Liverpool should be winning the Championship with ease, was the accusation from some. It is easier said than done. Liverpool had a steady first season back in the WSL without setting the world on fire, but it is their work this term which has been notably impressive.
The Reds are joint fourth in the WSL, level with Manchester United, and already have more points than they managed in the entirety of last season.
Liverpool did not go mad in the transfer market. They have not thrown money at their squad. They have been clever in their recruitment, bringing in players like Marie Hobinger and Sophie Roman Haug, both of whom have international experience but are young enough to still be developed.
Beard has been key. He is overachieving with this squad. It is unlikely any of his current players would get into the teams of Arsenal or Manchester United – but they have beaten them both this season.
Returning to Melwood has proved to be a big boost for the women’s team
Liverpool have picked up some impressive results in the WSL this season
What has also been significant is the club’s move to Melwood. Klopp’s team vacated the property in 2021 and, after originally selling the site to a housing developer, the club bought the training ground back for the women’s side last year.
I spoke to Beard in his Melwood office in October and, as he sat in the chair once occupied by Klopp, he reflected on the progress the club has made since he took charge in 2021.
‘People would always have a pop at the club. The club has always been supportive of the set-up and I think this shows the support the football club has for the women’s team.
‘The football world, people want everything now. It takes time. If you look at how far we’ve come in three years, we’ve made massive strides. The ambition is to challenge at the top, that’s what we want to do, but it’s not going to happen overnight.’
As well as having a Samsung TV for Beard to watch his favourite crime programmes, Melwood offers his players the elite facilities their previous home, which was shared with League Two side Tranmere Rovers, could not.
Jurgen Klopp can now be confident that the same mistakes will not be made with the women’s team when he departs Liverpool this summer
‘Tranmere was fine, but it wasn’t ours,’ Beard said.
‘We’ve got the pool, we’ve got the sauna, we’ve got the hydrotherapy downstairs, ice baths. The players have everything they need to make sure they recover and perform.
‘It’s all those little add-ons that really help and make a difference.’
Liverpool have been playing catch up and to an extent they still are. But their progress is admirable and when Klopp departs the club this summer he will leave safe in the knowledge that previous mistakes will not be repeated. The opportunity he talked about in 2022 has not been wasted.
Macario makes up for lost time
The long wait to see Catarina Macario in a Chelsea shirt proved to be worth it for both player and club. Macario was one of the most exciting signings of the summer window but was still recovering from the ACL injury she picked up in the 2022 Champions League final when she arrived in London. The forward’s moment finally came in Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Leicester.
Macario came off the bench to make her debut in the 78th minute and within six minutes had scored her first goal in 20 months. With Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel both sidelined with ACL injuries, Macario’s return to fitness is exactly what Chelsea need.
‘She came to Chelsea and wasn’t in a fit state to play until now,’ boss Emma Hayes said. ‘We’ve had to do a lot of work with her off the pitch so for her to get this moment I’m so immensely proud of her and the team behind the team who have put the hours into her.
‘She’s a super footballer and just what we need coming into the run-in.’
Catarina Macario (pictured) made an instant impact for Chelsea on Sunday after he long wait to play for the Blues following a serious injury
There are people who reach a certain level of fame where they can be referred to simply by their first name. Kylie, Kanye, Beyonce, Madonna – you get the idea.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted that England striker Alessia Russo had changed her name on Instagram to just ‘alessia’ last week. Russo is the Lionesses most followed player on the social media platform and her move signifies the increased importance of branding in the women’s game.
Russo’s England team-mate Ella Toone launched her own brand ‘ET7’ at the end of last year and there is every chance more players will follow suit.
Russo was awarded honorary freedom of Maidstone, her hometown, last week – though both her first and last name was printed on the certificate.
England and Arsenal striker Alessia Russo has changed her name on Instagram as her following increases online
Also Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celebrity News
