Liverpool Women and Everton Women are gearing up for the new 2022-23 WSL season - and we've got it covered as part of our exciting new commitment to women's football.
Liverpool Echo will be covering every single Liverpool and Everton match in the Women's Super League which kicks off next month.
The buzz around the women's game is at an all-time high in this country, sparked by the Lionesses’ European Championship glory.
Liverpool’s return to the top flight has allowed them to bring Netherlands international Shanice van de Sanden back to Merseyside.
The Dutch winger was with the Reds from 2016 to 2017 and has since gone on to win three UEFA Women’s Champions Leagues as well as three French titles and two French cups with Lyon.
After joining from Wolfsburg, the 29-year-old spoke of the gratitude she had for the club.
“I’m so thankful to Liverpool because I improved so much here, it was what I needed. I think it was one of the key moments in my career.
“I’ve improved as a person and a player, I’ve won so many trophies since I left and I want to bring my experience into this team. I want to help the girls but I also need their help to get back on my highest level again.”
Everton, meanwhile, are looking to improve on their tenth-placed finish from last season under the guidance of new coach Brian Sorensen who has joined from Champions League regulars Fortuna Hjorring.
Sorensen made Jess Park his first signing, bringing the forward in on loan from Manchester City and has added emerging Manchester United keeper Emily Ramsey, also on loan.
Everton kick off the opening weekend of the WSL campaign with a trip to Leicester on Sunday, September 11 (1pm), with Liverpool getting their campaign under way an hour later at Reading.
We'll be there to report on all the action and reaction as Reach PLC, our parent company, cranks up its coverage of the women's game.
Our newly formed team, designed to be spread across the country, will ensure every WSL match is covered.
Reach has been steadily building its women's football coverage, and the success of England at Euro 2022 provides the opportunity to massively increase coverage of domestic games this season.
Alice McKeegan, a senior sports editor who is leading the project, said: “England’s success at the Euros this summer has displayed to the country just how good the women’s game is, and we want to ensure our coverage of the sport is first-rate too.
"It’s really exciting to be able to recruit a team of dedicated journalists to expand our coverage and ensure we’re giving our audience what they want.”
Neil Hodgkinson, Audience and Content Director for sport at Reach, said: “Our strategy is to become a broader church for sports coverage. There are a lot of sports out there other than men’s football and we have seen great results from having extra people writing about F1, tennis, boxing and UFC.
“Coverage of the success of female athletes in tennis, boxing and cricket has also proven popular with readers. Some of our titles have seen particular success here, for example WalesOnline’s regular and popular coverage of women’s rugby.
“Increasing our coverage of the WSL and women’s grassroots game is a natural progression. The key thing is to stick with the coverage and show you are as committed as the fans.”
Many clubs have already seen a spike in interest in local matches. Brighton, Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham have all reported sizable increases in season-ticket sales.
Every regional title, including Liverpool Echo, will be covering the opening game of the Women's Championship which gets under way next weekend.
