A winless beginning to the WSL campaign has seen Liverpool rooted to the foot of the table, devoid of a win or a clean sheet to their name. The recent defeat at Aston Villa compounded the woes, including a concerning statistic of attempts on target. Whilst attention often focuses on the men's team, the women's side faces a increasing threat of slipping down the sporting pyramid.
Despite preparing for a vital game against fellow plagued the Hammers, sections of the fanbase are losing faith. Online platforms lit up with demands for the manager's departure after the most recent loss, despite it being only ten WSL fixtures into the manager's reign. That stands in sharp difference to the club's standing with former management, underscoring a noticeable decline in performance.
"There is little question that we have regressed as a team for sure, more than that is acceptable of a team like Liverpool," admitted Taylor after the Aston Villa game. "We have go and show a response."
The summer departure of star player Olivia Smith for a record sum raised hopes of reinforcement. Yet, fans might rightly questioning where that money has been spent. New acquisitions have mostly struggled to make an impact, with the solitary bright spark being Sweden forward Beata Olsson. Olsson's 4 strikes represent a significant share of the team's meager total tally, making them the least productive attack in the league.
A number of context is offered for the struggles. Taylor's delayed appointment in summer limited his planning time. The team has also been processing the tragic loss after the death of ex- coach Matt Beard, with a number of matches rescheduled as a result. Furthermore, a grueling schedule of away fixtures has not helped.
However, in the results-driven world of football, patience typically wears thin. The upcoming winter transfer period appears as a potential turning point. But the burning question is: will Gareth Taylor be at the helm to conduct it?
{A long-awaited win against West Ham on Sunday would certainly ease the building pressure and offer a vital boost. With relegation rules briefly adjusted for this campaign, the management could feel they have more leeway to stick with their long-term plan. However, for many fans, nothing but points will suffice.