Liverpool’s season in pictures as Reds achieve main Women’s Super League aim

Liverpool returned to the Women’s Super League last term after a two-year exile in the Championship and, despite plenty of ups and downs, it turned out to be pretty successful campaign for Matt Beard’s side.

The Reds’ main aim was securing survival – a feat they managed with two games to spare. In fact, despite some comprehensive defeats at the hands of Manchester United, Everton and Leicester, Liverpool never seriously looked to be in the mix for relegation.

While the surprise opening day victory over reigning champions Chelsea proved to be something of a false dawn, the Reds largely managed to hold their own in their meetings with the league’s big hitters. In fact, Beard’s side mathematically sealed their survival with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Champions League-chasing Manchester City.

That particular triumphed marked Liverpool’s fifth victory in six games at Prenton Park. But, while impressive home form had a huge part to play in the Reds’ eventual seventh-place finish, a failure to pick up a single away win prevented Liverpool from climbing into the top half of the table.

Here, the ECHO takes a look at how the Reds season unfolded via a series of memorable photos from across the campaign.

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A late Katie Stengel penalty helped Liverpool come from behind to beat reigning champions Chelsea at Prenton Park on the opening day of the season.

(Image: Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

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After the surprise opening day triumph, Liverpool were given a harsh reality check in front of more than 27,000 fans at Anfield as Everton romped to a 3-0 victory. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)

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Rachel Furness headed home in stoppage time to salvage a point for the Reds against Brighton, who had been leading 3-1 with less than 15 minutes to go. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

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After going seven games without a win, goals from Ceri Holland and Katie Stengel saw Liverpool sign off for the winter break with three points against West Ham. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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The Reds were on the receiving end of a 6-0 thumping when they travelled to Leigh Sports Village to take on Manchester United. It was the crushing nadir of Liverpool’s first season back in the top flight. (Getty Images)

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Liverpool’s Women’s Super League clash with Chelsea was postponed after just six minutes of play due to a frozen pitch at Kingsmeadow. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

(Image: Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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While the controversial decision to rule out Leighanne Robe’s second-half strike denied Liverpool the three points at Goodison Park, the Reds showed how far they’d come since the reverse fixture as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in front of more than 22,000 fans.(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

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A Ceri Holland double saw the Reds come from behind to beat Brighton at Prenton Park in April. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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After taking a huge step towards WSL survival against Brighton, the Reds slumped to a 4-0 defeat against relegation-threatened Leicester at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes had also beaten Liverpool in the reverse fixture at Prenton Park in February. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

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Liverpool secured their top flight survival in style with a 2-1 victory over Champions League-chasing Manchester City. It marked a third straight win at Prenton Park. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

(Image: Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)