Trophies continue to arrive at Anfield, with the latest magnificent addition to the haul of silverware coming in the shape of the Super Cup. Jurgen Klopp’s men scored a win on penalties over Chelsea midweek to add the pot to the Champions League price they attained in June with a 2-0 win over hapless Tottenham Hotspur.
The challenge for the Liverpool Women’s team is to try to replicate the success of the men’s team. It’s a mighty big ask but one that the current set-up feel they can certainly make inroads on. Of course, to try to play catch up with one of the most successful teams in football history might be a little ambitious, but Liverpool manager Vicky Jepson knows it is all relative.
But a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step, as the old Chinese proverb goes, and so Jepson has already taken steps to improve the Liverpool squad ahead of the first FA Women’s Super League game on September 8 when the Reds face Reading Women at home.
With the season almost upon us Jepson has moved to hand Irish international Niamh Fahey, a former Arsenal and Chelsea schemer, the role of vice-skipper to provide much-needed back-up to captain Sophie Bradley-Auckland, who continues in her captain’s role.
And Fahey, who is aged 31 and can play in either central defence or in midfield offering a shield to the more creative players, said she felt a big honour in being named vice-captain, adding:
“I’m really excited to get the new season under way and to build off the back of last season’s strong run-in. Having a full pre-season with the full squad and new faces will stand us in good stead and everyone is looking forward to getting started.”
As for Jepson, she is delighted to give Fahey more responsibility with the job and adds that she is a great leader on and off the pitch. She continued:
“Niamh came to us with a lot of experience playing internationally and at the previous clubs she has played for. Off the pitch, she’s a fun character and a lot of our young players feel comfortable going to her with any issues.”
More evidence of progress at the Reds is the new coaching role handed to defender Becky Jane, who now joins midfielder Christie Murray from the first team ranks who have duties training the young emerging talent at the club.
Jane, who is aged 27 and joined the Reds from Reading Women over the summer, says she can’t wait to get cracking in a job that will see her nurture all that is good about the up-and-coming players. She added:
“I’m so looking forward to coaching the girls, it’s something that I really enjoy and is a good focus outside of training for me. Hopefully I can help them learn to become better players and people, and can be someone they look up to.”