The story of Liverpool Women's memorable season and run to the FA Cup semifinal
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This occasion marked what has been a remarkable season of ups and downs for the Reds.A season which included the passing of a recent former manager, a criminal conviction and alleged racist abuse, mixed in with more trivial affairs, a change in manager and losing their two best players.Here is the story of how this run to the FA Cup semifinal was a bumpy one, and a shout-out to the figures who got them there.The early seasonBefore we arrive in 2026 to talk about the Women's FA Cup, let's wind back to the end of 2025 and Liverpool's first cup run of the season.The Reds began the season in the Subway Women's League Cup, battering Sunderland 5-0 in the first game of the group stage, before a late Sam Kerr header overcame second-tier Durham FC, and a Beata Olsson hat-trick saw the Reds thrash Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.Liverpool had struggled in the league, yet to pick up a win.Liverpool drew reigning FA Cup winners Chelsea in the following round. It was miserable, Liverpool were battered 9-1 at home by Chelsea, and were even 4-0 down at half-time.
A nadir in what was already a difficult season.The following month, Liverpool did some serious business as Jennifer Falk, Denise O'Sullivan and Aurelie Csillag among others were signed, and things started to improve.It took Liverpool until the 25th of January to pick up their first league victory of the season, beating Spurs 2-0 at home.The FA Cup runOff the back of a successful January, Liverpool began their cup run with a 6-0 demolishing of fourth-tier London Bees in the capital.O'Sullivan and Martha Thomas scored debut goals, as the Reds showed the first signs of turning the corner.Liverpool were drawn at home to local rivals Everton in the next round, a squad that has been an unfortunate bogey team in recent years.Liverpool v Everton - Adobe Women's FA Cup Fifth Round | Jess Hornby - The FA/GettyImagesMia Enderby and Beata Olsson scored first-half goals, and the Reds held their nerve as the Toffees pulled a goal back in the second half.Liverpool then faced second-tier high fliers Charlton Athletic, who pushed the Reds all the way to extra time at the Valley before youngster Zara Shaw provided a late winner.It meant that Liverpool were to face Brighton in an FA Cup semi-final St Helens.The Reds made a positive start going up by two goals early on, before Brighton grew into the game and scored three goals, including a stoppage time winner to break Liverpool hearts.Mitigating circumstancesComparing two seasons, last season in which Liverpool fell to a heartbreak against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final and this season, losing at the same stage in similar circumstances, one could be forgiven for not seeing direct progress.When you take into account the adversity that Liverpool have faced this season, you begin to understand.The Liverpool family experienced the death of beloved former manager Matt Beard in September 2025.Beard managed the Reds between 2012 and 2015 and 2021 and 2025 and led Liverpool back to the Women's Super League.Liverpool midfielder Marie Hobinger has also had to endure stalking by a member of the public and the subsequent media circus.Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggraffe received a three-match suspension for using racist language towards a teammate, before subsequently being loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen.On a footballing note, Liverpool lost Taylor Hinds and Olivia Smith to Arsenal over the summer, leaving manager Gareth Taylor with an uphill battle in his first year in charge.The amount that this team has overcome in pulling themselves out of danger in the WSL and being competitive in the FA Cup on a middling budget at best is a high credit to the team. With some proper additions over the summer, a fresh charge could be in the cards for 2026/27.
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