Matt Beard’s side currently sit in seventh in the Women’s Super League table and second in their League Cup group.
Last season, the Reds finished in fourth place in the WSL table, one of their best seasons in a long time, so what has gone wrong?
Liverpool lost a myriad of players last summer, most of them being bit-part players.
However, the loss of two key cogs of Liverpool’s engine room, wing-back Emma Koivisto to AC Milan and midfielder Missy Bo Kearns to Aston Villa, has made the Red machine splutter.
Missy Bo Kearns, Emma Koivisto
Additionally the loss of forward Shanice van de Sanden to Pachuca and winger Melissa Lawley to Everton has exacerbated the struggle.
Liverpool made three signings this summer, two young forwards in Olivia Smith and Cornelia Kapocs and experienced defender Gemma Evans.
While Smith and Kapocs have shown a lot of potential, the Reds have arguably done little to replace the established quality of the outgoing Bo Kearns and Koivisto.
Liverpool have blossomed in recent seasons, winning the Women’s Championship in 2022, and following that up with a secure mid-table finish in the WSL in 2023.
Last season, the Reds’ progress stunted in October and November, before picking up again in the latter half of the campaign.
Shanice van de Sanden, Vilde Boe Risa
The end of the season included a 4-0 win at Leicester and victories at home to Manchester United and Chelsea.
This campaign began with a hectic pre-season that included a cancelled friendlyagainst Manchester United, something Beard has cited in his interviews.
Liverpool’s 2024/25 season has had highlights, including a 6-1 League Cup win at Championship side Newcastle United and a thrilling 3-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
Taylor Hinds
All too often though, Liverpool have been frustrated by opposition they should have been beating, a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester City on opening day, and the same scoreline at home to Crystal Palace in October.
The Reds have also wilted when the greatest pressure has been on them this season, losing 3-2 to a late winner against Manchester City at Anfield, and suffering sizeable losses against Chelsea and United.
Liverpool have had mounting injuries throughout the season, most recently the injury to key midfielder Marie Hobinger before Manchester United last Saturday.
Gemma Evans was also missing for that game, with forward Mia Enderby having to cover for her at right wing-back.
Centre-back Hannah Silcock, midfielders Fuka Nagano and Sofie Lundgaard, and forward Sophie Roman Haug have also had spells on the sidelines.
Sophie Roman Haug
The Reds fielded six substitutes in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, compared to the Red Devils’ nine.
Liverpool need to find a way to play through the injury mire and not go clutching for excuses, as has been alleged to be the case at times this season.
With January ahead though, it is imperative that the Liverpool hierarchy back the team by providing players via the transfer market.