Liverpool FC

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The club's journey began in 1989 as Newton LFC. Two years later, it rechristened as Knowsley United WFC, reaching the Premier League Cup final in 1993 before losing to Arsenal at Wembley. By mid-1994, the club linked with Liverpool FC, becoming Liverpool Ladies F.C. The 1990s saw them finish runners-up in two FA Women's Cups: a heartbreaking 3–2 loss to Arsenal in 1995 after Karen Burke's goals were undone by Marieanne Spacey, and a penalty defeat against Croydon in 1996 despite a valiant display from 15-year-old goalkeeper Rachel Brown. Financial struggles saw them relegated to the Northern Division in 2003, though they bounced back as champions in 2004 and again in 2007–08. A unique achievement occurred in 2009–10 when they won the Northern Division losing just one game all season while playing without a single booking or sending-off, earning the FA Fair Play Award.

In Their Own Story

The professional era reshaped the club's destiny. In August 2012, Matt Beard took charge on a full-time contract after Robbie Johnson stepped down. Facing a bottom-of-the-table finish in his first year, Beard overhauled the squad, releasing ten players and signing US defender Whitney Engen. The team moved to the Halton Stadium in Widnes for the 2013 season. On April 29, 2013, Liverpool made history by offering professional contracts to all female athletes, a move that ended Arsenal's nine-year dominance. They secured their first top-flight title on September 29, 2013, beating Bristol City in the decider. They retained the crown on October 12, 2014, defeating Bristol City 3–0. During these title runs, men's manager Brendan Rodgers championed a 'one-club mentality,' allowing both teams to train together at Melwood. Ahead of the 2013 title decider, Rodgers stated: 'It's in your hands so go and do what you have done all season and play for the win.'

Reader's Guide

After their 2014 triumph, the club faced a steep decline due to funding issues and key player departures, including Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, and Niamh Charles. This led to relegation in the 2019–20 season on a points-by-game basis, marking their fourth drop from the top flight since the WSL began. A turning point arrived in September 2020 when Susan Black was appointed executive director of Liverpool FC Women and joined the board. In May 2021, Matt Beard returned as manager for his second stint. His immediate impact was profound; under his leadership, the team won the 2021–22 FA Women's Championship, securing promotion back to the WSL by winning sixteen of twenty-two league games. Upon this success, men's manager Jürgen Klopp praised the 'wonderful team' and 'great coach,' noting that while the club had not treated women's football outstandingly well in recent years, they were now back where they belonged.

Did You Know?

• Liverpool became the first English football club to offer every female player full-time professional contracts in April 2013.
• In the 2009–10 Northern Division season, Liverpool won the league losing only one game all season and received the FA Fair Play Award for having no players booked or sent off.
• During their 2013 and 2014 title-winning seasons, men's manager Brendan Rodgers allowed the women's team to train at Melwood alongside the first team to foster a 'one-club mentality'.
• The club was founded in 1989 by former England international Liz Deighan under the name Newton LFC.
• Liverpool has been promoted back to the Women's Super League four times: 2003–04, 2006–07, 2009–10, and 2021–22.