LIVERPOOL, England — As the final whistle blew at St Helens Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor convened his players for a huddle. His struggling team had just secured their inaugural Women’s Super League (WSL) victory of the season, triumphing over high-flying Tottenham 2-0 with two goals in stoppage time, and the emotion — and relief — was evident.
“That’s what happens when you believe in our approach,” he expressed to the team. “The energy was positive today. I am incredibly proud of you.”
Among that jubilant group was midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, who had just made her WSL debut for the club after transferring from NWSL side North Carolina Courage only eight days prior. O’Sullivan is one of six signings made by Liverpool in January to strengthen Taylor’s squad for the latter half of the season. The reinforcements are urgently needed, as Liverpool currently sits at the bottom of the table, just one point away from safety with nine matches left.
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Rob Clarkson, the head of recruitment, has been charged with finding the necessary quality and experience to prevent the club from being drawn into the league’s first relegation play-off in the spring. Liverpool has invested accordingly, with this month’s recruitment drive exceeding £1 million ($1.37 million) — funded by the transfer of star forward Olivia Smith to Arsenal for a then-world-record fee of the same amount.
As their new record signing — acquired for £300,000 — O’Sullivan is aware of the high expectations placed upon her.
“I’m really excited,” O’Sullivan told ESPN. “It took some time for everything to align and for the deal to be finalized, but I am truly happy to be here. The club has been wonderful, and having an Irish presence with Leanne Kiernan and [technical co-ordinator] Niamh Fahey has made the transition smoother.
“I spent nine years in the States. I played at one club and had an amazing experience there, but by the end of last season, I felt a strong urge for a new challenge. I previously played in the WSL [for Brighton] for a few months back in 2020, and it is a truly world-class league, so it felt like the right move.”
O’Sullivan’s acquisition is a significant achievement for Liverpool, who had garnered interest from several other clubs in the WSL and across Europe. With over 128 international caps for the Republic of Ireland, the 30-year-old arrives in Merseyside with substantial credentials and a desire to help the club return to winning form.
“Liverpool is one of the top clubs in the world, one of the largest clubs globally,” O’Sullivan stated. “So I think that the name itself was a major draw right from the start. Additionally, hearing about the quality of the facilities here was crucial for me.
“You really need to be here to appreciate how impressive they are, and being part of that over the past few weeks has been absolutely remarkable. Arriving every morning, you feel like a professional footballer. You’re well taken care of, and everything you need is provided for you.
“Coming in each morning, having chefs prepare your breakfast, you have all the resources necessary to perform at your best as an athlete and as a footballer. There are saunas in the dressing room, jacuzzis, everything you could want. And when you step into the training ground, everyone is so welcoming, and everyone has a role within the club, so it already feels like home.”
Indeed, Liverpool’s training facility — the AXA Melwood Training Centre — is one of the club’s most valuable assets and has played a crucial role in attracting numerous players to Merseyside recently. Having served as the training ground for Liverpool’s men’s team for over 70 years before their move to a state-of-the-art new facility in 2020, the club initially sold the site to a local housing developer before owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) repurchased it for £13 million in 2023.
The venue ranks among the finest of its kind in the WSL and symbolizes the club’s renewed commitment to its women’s team following their unfortunate relegation to the Championship in 2020. However, despite achieving a top-four finish in just their second season back in the top flight in 2024, Liverpool has yet to take the next step and mirror the successes of the men’s team, who secured their latest Premier League title last season.
The loss of star forward Smith in the summer was a significant setback. Long-term planning for the current season was also disrupted by the delayed arrival of new head coach Taylor, who was officially appointed in August due to contractual obligations with his previous club, Manchester City.
While the former Wales international has not produced immediate results on Merseyside, sources informed ESPN that there is an understanding within the club that his task has been complicated by a tumultuous summer, and he has consistently been a well-regarded figure at the training ground.
The victory over Spurs was the result of months of diligent effort, with signs of Taylor’s influence evident even before Mia Enderby netted twice in stoppage time to secure a vital three points. For O’Sullivan, the head coach’s vision for the club was one of the reasons that motivated her to join the two-time WSL champions.
“I had a Zoom call with Gareth before signing, and I was genuinely impressed,” she remarked. “He has a clear vision of how he wants the team to perform, and being here now and participating in his training sessions, I can truly see that. I believe he is an excellent coach, and there is so much detail in his training. He notices the small aspects that can enhance your performance as a player, and I genuinely think I will improve under his guidance.”
Taylor’s role at Liverpool has been further complicated by a wave of injuries to key players, with three first-team members suffering anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in 2025. Emotionally, the squad was deeply affected by the passing of beloved former manager Matt Beard in September, and the team’s kit manager, Jonathan Humble, died unexpectedly in October.
While it is difficult to measure the impact of these tragedies on Taylor and his players, it would be inaccurate to claim they have not influenced the team’s performance in what has thus far been a challenging season for various reasons.
However, against Spurs, the determination and dedication of the group were evident, and O’Sullivan is optimistic that the club possesses all the necessary elements to ensure a successful second half of the season.
“I genuinely want to assist the team,” she stated. “That’s why I came here. The motivation is immense. Everyone is contributing to that across the club, and they all aspire for the team to be in the top half of the table. I believe that for this year, the primary goal is to escape the situation we are in and move away from the relegation battle. From my conversations with everyone at the club, they aim to compete for the WSL title in the coming years. And that’s why I’m here. I want to win trophies with Liverpool and help advance the team.”
Indeed, regardless of what transpires in the remainder of the season, it is undeniable that Liverpool will still fall short of realizing the club’s ultimate goal of becoming one of Europe’s elite.
“This is just the beginning,” Taylor told his players on Sunday afternoon. Now, with that elusive first victory secured, Liverpool will hope it marks the start of an exciting new chapter.
