Liverpool’s most important players in winning WSL promotion

Liverpool winning promotion to the WSL in 2022 was a squad effort, backed by loyal fans every step of the way as the Red secured first place in the Women's Championship.

But, in any good team, individuals will often stand out by making vital contributions to that success.

These are five of the most important players behind Liverpool's promotion back to the WSL...

5. Katie Stengel

Experienced American forward Katie Stengel provided the mid-season boost that Liverpool needed when her arrival in the January transfer window was signed off. Her nine goals in just a few months helped push the Reds faster towards promotion.

Stengel had played extensively in the NWSL back home and Australia’s W-League, notably finishing second to Sam Kerr in the golden boot race in 2017/18. She had also played for Matt Beard before.

4. Taylor Hinds

Taylor Hinds was so influential from full-back throughout the 2021/22 promotion campaign that she was among the nominees of the club’s Women’s Player of the Season award at the end of it.

Having started out at Arsenal and played three years of WSL football for Everton, she brought an incredible amount of experience to Prenton Park for a player who was still only 21 when she arrived. Hinds was so good that she was rewarded with a new long-term deal halfway through the season.

3. Niamh Fahey

Niamh Fahey had won multiple trophies with Arsenal and Chelsea earlier in her career. She had also had the opportunity to further her horizons and play in France during a spell with Bordeaux. But joining Liverpool in 2018 was a childhood dream for the lifelong Reds fan.

The centre-back signed a new contract in 2020 after Liverpool had been relegated and was soon made captain. In the Championship, Fahey led a defence that conceded just 11 times across 22 league games, keeping clean sheets in various crucial contests throughout the season.

2. Missy Bo Kearns

Liverpool born and bred, Missy Bo Kearns made her Liverpool debut aged 17 in 2019 and established herself as an important first-team player in 2020/21. Ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, she was handed a new contract and the club’s famed number seven shirt.

On the pitch, she bossed the Championship from the centre of the pitch and even showed future potential as captain she became the youngest ever player to wear the armband for Liverpool Women.

1. Leanne Kiernan

Signed in 2021 following her released from West Ham, Leanne Kiernan reunited with Matt Beard after they had previously worked together at the Hammers.

But while she had been a young player with potential during those days, the Republic of Ireland international took things to new levels in Liverpool colours. Kiernan got 13 league goals as the Reds ultimately cruised to the Championship title and promotion and appropriately finished with the club’s Women’s Player of the Season award.

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