While Liverpool’s men’s team enjoys a commanding position at the top of the Premier League, the women’s side is grappling with a challenging campaign, sitting a staggering 19 points behind Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. As the season nears its halfway mark, questions are surfacing about whether Fenway Sports Group’s conservative spending strategy is hindering the women’s team’s progress.
After finishing fourth last season, their best performance in seven years, hopes were high for Liverpool Women to build on that success. However, injuries to pivotal players like Marie Höbinger and Sophie Román Haug have compounded their struggles. Missed opportunities in early-season stalemates against Leicester, West Ham, and Crystal Palace have left the team closer to the relegation zone than European competition.
Liverpool did break their transfer record in July, bringing in Canadian forward Olivia Smith for approximately £210,000. However, their overall spending remains modest compared to the league’s top teams. Arsenal, for instance, spent over £11 million in 2022/23, more than three times Liverpool’s £3.44 million expenditure during the same period. Meanwhile, Chelsea paid €450,000 in January to sign Mayra Ramírez, a move that bolstered their squad and helped secure the league title.
In contrast, Liverpool’s winter transfer plans appear far less ambitious. When asked about the availability of funds for January reinforcements, manager Matt Beard candidly responded, “No, not really.” While the club’s owners have made significant investments in infrastructure—such as the £15 million refurbishment of Melwood for the women’s team and upgrades to their home ground at St Helens—the lack of similar investment in the squad is increasingly apparent.
The wage bill for Liverpool’s women’s players and staff amounts to £1.82 million, which is notably less than the £2.24 million paid to the club’s highest-earning director in the year ending June 2023. While such disparities are not unusual in football, they highlight how relatively modest financial outlays could substantially strengthen the women’s team.
Fans might feel further disheartened knowing that even Brighton, a smaller club in overall stature, is outspending Liverpool in the Women’s Super League. With 12 points separating Liverpool from a European spot and only 12 games left to play, the gap between the club and the league’s top-tier teams seems to be widening.
Despite these obstacles, Beard remains hopeful, stating, “It’s not always about the money. I think we 100% proved that last year.” The club appears committed to a longer-term approach, focusing on developing young players and building a foundation for future success. However, supporters may wonder how much longer they’ll need to wait for significant progress.
As the Women’s Super League becomes increasingly competitive, with greater financial investment flowing into rival teams, Liverpool risks falling further behind unless Fenway Sports Group reconsiders its approach. Whether the ownership will decide to increase funding remains uncertain, but for now, frustration continues to grow among the team’s loyal fanbase.
