Once a club on the rise, Liverpool in desperate need of a spark under Gareth Taylor

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Liverpool Women suffered a late 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League at Anfield, with Gareth Taylor's side initially taking the lead early in the second half through Cornelia Kapocs.

Despite the early goal, Manchester City quickly responded with an equalizer from Iman Beney, and the match was ultimately decided by a late winner from Aoba Fujino in the 86th minute. The loss was a significant setback for Liverpool who had hoped to regroup after earlier challenges this season.

The game featured key moments from both sides, including Liverpool goalkeeper Rafaela Borggrafe making important saves from City’s Vivianne Miedema, who had multiple attempts on goal. Liverpool’s defense was tested throughout, with Manchester City creating several chances in the first half that Liverpool managed to withstand until the second half pressure mounted.

Gareth Taylor, who took over Liverpool Women’s team in August 2025 after successful spells including winning FA Cup and League Cup with Manchester City Women, will now oversee preparations for an upcoming women's League Cup group stage match against Durham. Liverpool will look to leverage the midweek fixture to reset and spark improved performances.

Following the defeat, Taylor emphasized his committed coaching philosophy, describing his style as akin to a religion—"there is no other way of playing"—underlining his demand for consistency and a definitive style on the pitch.

The Liverpool Women's team, once viewed as a club on the rise, face a crucial period to reignite progress under Taylor’s leadership and build resilience after the disappointing home loss to their former manager’s team.