Liverpool’s two year absence from the Women’s Super League will come to an end next season after they secured the FA Women’s Championship title and promotion back to the top flight with two games to spare. It wasn't straightforward and it was nervy at times, but a 4-2 win over their closest challengers Bristol City was enough to see them surge over the line.
The squad gathered on the touchline as the clock ticked into additional time, waiting eagerly to flood the pitch and celebrate their achievements. Despite their best efforts, there was no way back for the hosts after substitute Missy Bo Kearns buried Liverpool's fourth of the afternoon on 79 minutes and all but sealed the title.
It's been two years in the making following their relegation from the WSL in 2020. The 2019/20 season was one of mixed emotions for the club, while the men's team marched to their first Premier League title in 30 years, the women’s side found themselves battling for survival at the bottom of the WSL table.
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The pandemic played its part, as the league was consequently decided on a points per game basis, but six points from 14 games simply wasn’t good enough. Fast forward to now, and the mood at the club has been transformed with Matt Beard taking the side on a journey this season which has put them back where they belong.
After Covid disrupted their pre-season plans, Liverpool suffered defeat in their opening game of the campaign, yet their form ever since has been exceptional. They've gone 19 games unbeaten in the league and Bristol City, who have been their closest challengers this term, were unable to cause the upset they would've hoped heading into the top-of-the-table clash.
It was the dream start for the Reds, who were comfortably the better side in the early stages. They dominated possession and carved out some well-worked chances, good feet from top goalscorer this season Leanne Kiernan allowed her to get a shot away, but it was a routine save for City goalkeeper Fran Bentley.
Megan Campbell's long throws, which have proved to be a real weapon for Liverpool this season, once again proved to be a difference maker as her effort wasn't cleared by the Bristol City defence and the loose ball was fired in by Skipper Niamh Fahey on 13 minutes.
Their lead was only brief, however, as the hosts almost instantly responded with a goal of their own. Aggie Beever-Jones put her side back on level terms after her cross was misjudged by Liverpool keeper Rachael Laws and dipped into the back of the net. This was going to be no straightforward win for the Reds.
It was advantage Liverpool at the break after Campbell sent a free-kick into the box with 40 minutes gone, met by defender Jasmine Matthews who made no mistake to send it beyond Bentley. The Reds went in at half-time ahead, but with work to do as the hosts remained a threat on the break.
Katie Stengel was next to put herself on the scoresheet for Liverpool. She recorded her seventh goal of the season after Rachel Furness headed on a long throw from Campbell, and the USA international was there to fire it home.
Once again, Bristol City refused to sit off. Throughout the 90 minutes they caused Liverpool problems on the break and 10 minutes later, they reduced the deficit to just one with a goal from Abi Harrison. It was shaping up to be a tense end to the game, although a draw would have been enough for Liverpool.
But determined to secure the title with a victory, substitute Bo Kearns restored the two-goal cushion after Stengel did well to work the ball to the by-line and cut it back into the box. City were unable to clear and after a brief scramble, the 'scouser in Liverpool's team' sealed the win with a clinical finish.
It's testament to the attacking threat Liverpool possess that their top goalscorer Kiernan wasn't among the four goals this afternoon. There is quality throughout the squad, most notably the midfield stars Furness, Melissa Lawley and Ceri Holland, who controlled the game in the centre of the park.
As manager Matt Beard reiterated post-match, nobody has a 'divine right' to be in the WSL and Liverpool certainly learned that the hard way following relegation and a third-place finish in their first season in the second division. It's taken a monumental effort, led by Beard, to get them back up and they won't take any of that for granted when they're in the top flight next term.
"We've worked incredibly hard to get back there," the Reds boss said. "We've got plans in place, not just for this year. We've got a three-five year plan in place that we're working towards. It's a tough division, you look at Aston Villa who have struggled a little bit [in the WSL] over the last two years. Leicester have gone up and struggled.
"It's not an easy division to go back into, but I do think we've got a good group of people here. There will be changes in the summer and our aims and ambitions will be sensible and to consolidate ourselves in the WSL and then we'll progress year on year."
There is no doubt Liverpool have some way to go to before they reach the levels of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. Their first challenge will be to ensure they avoid dropping back into the Championship and they cement their place as a WSL club.
But with a long-term plan in place, step one is now complete.
