2020–21 Liverpool F.C. Women season

Liverpool 2020–21 football season

Liverpool2020–21 season

Head coach| Vicky Jepson
(until 12 January)
Amber Whiteley (interim)
(from 12 January)
Stadium| Prenton Park, Birkenhead
Championship| 3rd
FA Cup| Fourth round
League Cup| Group stage
Top goalscorer| League: Rinsola Babajide and Rachel Furness (5)
All: Rachel Furness (7)

Home colours

Away colours

Third colours

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|

<- 2019–20

2021–22 ->

The 2020–21 Liverpool F.C. Women season was the club's 32nd season of competitive football and its first season outside the FA WSL, the highest level of the football pyramid, since the league's foundation.[1] Along with competing in the FA Women's Championship, the club also contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Niamh Fahey was announced as captain on 17 August 2020, replacing Sophie Bradley-Auckland who took a leave of absence in order to focus on the running of her family's residential care home business amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rachel Furness was named vice-captain.[2]

Manager Vicky Jepson departed the club by mutual consent on 12 January 2021 with the club sat in 3rd place in the league. She had been in charge since October 2018 having first joined the club as a programme lead for the LFC Foundation in 2009.[3] Assistant manager Amber Whiteley assumed the role on an interim basis.[4]

## Squad

[edit]

As of 28 February 2021.[5][6]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  ENG | Rachael Laws
2  | DF |  ENG | Becky Jane
3  | DF |  ENG | Leighanne Robe
4  | MF |  WAL | Rhiannon Roberts
5  | DF |  IRL | Niamh Fahey (captain)
6  | DF |  ENG | Sophie Bradley-Auckland
7  | FW |  ENG | Jessica Clarke
8  | MF |  ENG | Jade Bailey
9  | FW |  DEN | Amalie Thestrup
10  | FW |  ENG | Rinsola Babajide
11  | MF |  ENG | Melissa Lawley
12  | DF |  ENG | Taylor Hinds
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

13  | GK |  CAN | Rylee Foster
14  | FW |  ENG | Ashley Hodson
15  | DF |  NZL | Meikayla Moore
18  | MF |  WAL | Ceri Holland
19  | MF |  ENG | Amy Rodgers
21  | MF |  ENG | Missy Bo Kearns
24  | FW |  ENG | Kirsty Linnett
27  | MF |  NIR | Rachel Furness (vice-captain)
30  | MF |  ENG | Emily Brough
32  | DF |  ENG | Lucy Parry
-- | GK |  ENG | Eleanor Heeps
-- | FW |  ENG | Mia Ross

## Pre-season

[edit]

Liverpool scheduled five preseason games ahead of their debut FA Women's Championship campaign, putting particular focus on playing Coventry United away in order to acclimate themselves to the 3G surface that five Championship teams play on. All games were behind closed doors in order to fit with COVID-19 health restrictions.[7]

Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers 9 August 2020 Friendly|  Liverpool | –|  Blackburn Rovers |

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|  |  |  | Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Note: No official scoreline released

Liverpool v Reading 12 August 2020 Friendly|  Liverpool | –|  Reading |

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|  |  |  | Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Note: No official scoreline released

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion 16 August 2020 Friendly|  Liverpool | –|  Brighton & Hove Albion | Birkenhead

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|  |  |  | Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Note: No official scoreline released

Coventry United v Liverpool 23 August 2020 Friendly|  Coventry United | 1–4|  Liverpool | Coventry

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|
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* Merrick

| Report |

* Clarke x2
* Babajide
* Fahey

| Stadium: Butts Park Arena
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Manchester United v Liverpool 30 August 2020 Friendly|  Manchester United | 0–0|  Liverpool | Leigh

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|  | Report |  | Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

## FA Women's Championship

[edit]

Main article: 2020–21 FA Women's Championship

### Results summary

[edit]

Overall | Home | Away

|
|

Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD
20  | 11  | 6  | 3  | 37  | 15  |  +22  | 39  | 6  | 3  | 1  | 24  | 6  |  +18  | 5  | 3  | 2  | 13  | 9  |  +4

Last updated: 2 May 2021.
Source: FA WSL

### Results

[edit]

Liverpool v Durham 6 September 2020 1|  Liverpool | 1–1|  Durham | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Furness 38'
* Babajide 46'

| Report |

* Lambert 11'
* Holmes 63'
* Wilson 76'
* Hepple 87'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Oliver

London Bees v Liverpool 13 September 2020 2|  London Bees | 0–3|  Liverpool | Canons Park

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14:00 |

* Robert 29'

| Report |

* Lawley 50'
* Babajide 60'
* Furness 90'

| Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Sarah Garratt

Liverpool v Charlton Athletic 27 September 2020 3|  Liverpool | 4–0|  Charlton Athletic | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Furness 12', 84'
* Bailey 34',  58'
* Linnett 90'

| Report |

* Legg 51'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Melissa Burgin

Coventry United v Liverpool 4 October 2020 4|  Coventry United | 1–2|  Liverpool | Coventry

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14:00 |

* Anderson 71'

| Report |

* Lawley 11'
* Thestrup 33'

| Stadium: Butts Park Arena
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Leicester City v Liverpool 11 October 2020 5|  Leicester City | 2–1|  Liverpool | Quorn

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14:00 |

* Devlin 21'
* Bailey-Gayle 23'
* Paul  56'
* Blanchard 90+8'

| Report |

* Clarke 58'
* Linnett 63'
* Fahey 90'

| Stadium: Farley Way Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy-Ann Briggs

Lewes v Liverpool 1 November 2020 6|  Lewes | 2–2|  Liverpool | Lewes

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12:00 |

* Rood 43'
* Hack  74'
* Jhamat 82'

| Report |

* Thestrup 25'
* Babajide 58'

| Stadium: The Dripping Pan
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Jane Simms

Liverpool v Sheffield United 8 November 2020 7|  Liverpool | 1–0|  Sheffield United | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Babajide 5'
* Laws 90'

| Report |  | Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Daniel Locker

Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool 15 November 2020 8|  Blackburn Rovers | 0–0|  Liverpool | Bamber Bridge

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14:00 |  | Report |  | Stadium: Sir Tom Finney Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Cristiana Hattersley

Liverpool v Crystal Palace 6 December 2020 9|  Liverpool | 4–0|  Crystal Palace | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Babajide 2', 90+5'
* Rodgers 32'
* Thestrup 75'

| Report |  | Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 192
Referee: Richard Aspinall

London City Lionesses v Liverpool 13 December 2020 10|  London City Lionesses | 0–1|  Liverpool | Dartford

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14:00 |

* Ejupi 80'

| Report |

* Moore 31'

| Stadium: Princes Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Georgia Ball

Durham v Liverpool 20 December 2020 11|  Durham | 2–0|  Liverpool | Durham

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12:00 |

* Sharpe 45'
* Robson 54'
* E. Roberts 70'

| Report |

* Babajide 34'

| Stadium: Maiden Castle
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: James Westgate

Liverpool v Leicester City 17 January 2021 12|  Liverpool | 1–2|  Leicester City | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Kearns 10'
* Babajide 30'
* Lawley 47'

| Report |

* Flint 43' (pen.)
* Devlin 71',  81'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Chloe Ann-Anderson

Charlton Athletic v Liverpool 7 February 2021 13|  Charlton Athletic | 2–2|  Liverpool | Crayford

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14:00 |

* Vassell 18'
* Clifford 90+1' (pen.)

| Report |

* Furness 77'
* Holland 89'

| Stadium: The Oakwood
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Jordan Gibson

Liverpool v London Bees 28 February 2021 14|  Liverpool | 3–0|  London Bees | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Jane 8'
* Holland 73'
* Rodgers 79'

| Report |

* Gibson 18'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lauren Impey

Crystal Palace v Liverpool 7 March 2021 15|  Crystal Palace | 0–1|  Liverpool | Bromley

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14:00 |  | Report |

* Fahey 65'

| Stadium: Hayes Lane
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy May

Liverpool v Coventry United 14 March 2021 16|  Liverpool | 5–0|  Coventry United | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Fahey 23', 67'
* Jane 24'
* Holland 52'
* Lawley 84'

| Report |  | Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Anne-Briggs

Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers 28 March 2021 17|  Liverpool | 1–1|  Blackburn Rovers | Birkenhead

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18:30 |

* Kearns 34'

| Report |

* Hughes 60'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Amy Barber

Liverpool v Lewes 4 April 2021 18|  Liverpool | 2–0|  Lewes | Birkenhead

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12:00 |

* Cousins 7' (o.g.)
* Moore 55'

| Report |

* O'Rourke 32'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Declan Brown

Sheffield United v Liverpool 25 April 2021 19|  Sheffield United | 0–1|  Liverpool | Chesterfield

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14:00 |  | Report |

* Thestrup 30'
* Hinds 84' 90+1'
* Foster 89'

| Stadium: Technique Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Magdalena Golba

Liverpool v London City Lionesses 2 May 2021 20|  Liverpool | 2–2|  London City Lionesses | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Jane 44'
* Rodgers 56'

| Report |

* Bennett 68'
* Agg 81'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lauren Impey

### League table

[edit]

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

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1  | Leicester City (C, P) | 20  | 16  | 2  | 2  | 54  | 16  | +38  | 50  | Promotion to the WSL[a]
2  | Durham | 20  | 12  | 6  | 2  | 34  | 15  | +19  | 42  |
3  | Liverpool | 20  | 11  | 6  | 3  | 37  | 15  | +22  | 39
4  | Sheffield United | 20  | 11  | 5  | 4  | 37  | 15  | +22  | 38
5  | Lewes | 20  | 8  | 4  | 8  | 19  | 22  | −3  | 28

Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:

1. ^ Dependent on obtaining a licence.

## Women's FA Cup

[edit]

Main article: 2020–21 Women's FA Cup

As a member of the top two tiers, Liverpool will enter the FA Cup in the fourth round proper. Originally scheduled to take place on 31 January 2021, it was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.[8][9]

Leicester City v Liverpool 18 April 2021 Fourth round|  Leicester City | 1–0|  Liverpool | Quorn

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14:00 |

* Cain 72'

| Report |  | Stadium: Farley Way Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

## FA Women's League Cup

[edit]

Main article: 2020–21 FA Women's League Cup

Liverpool v Manchester United 7 October 2020 Group stage|  Liverpool | 3–1|  Manchester United | Birkenhead

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14:00 |

* Fahey 28'
* Furness 33' (pen.), 83'
* Hinds 64'
* Babajide 72' (pen.)

| Report |

* McManus 28'
* Toone 88'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Rebecca Walsh

Liverpool v Manchester City 4 November 2020 Group stage|  Liverpool | 0–3|  Manchester City | Birkenhead

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14:00 |  | Report |

* Coombs 42'
* Lavelle 52'
* Park 90+2'

| Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Sarah Garratt

Everton v Liverpool 18 November 2020 Group stage|  Everton | 1–0|  Liverpool | Liverpool

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19:00 |

* Christiansen 6'

| Report |  | Stadium: Walton Hall Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | WPEN | LPEN | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification  |  | MCI | EVE | LIV | MNU

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1  | Manchester City | 3  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 0  | 6  | 1  | +5  | 7  | Advanced to knock-out stage |  | -- | 3–1  | -- | --
2  | Everton | 3  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 3  | 3  | 0  | 6  | Possible knock-out stage based on ranking |  | -- | -- | 1–0  | 1–0
3  | Liverpool | 3  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 3  | 5  | −2  | 3  |  |  | 0–3  | -- | -- | 3–1
4  | Manchester United | 3  | 0  | 1  | 0  | 2  | 1  | 4  | −3  | 2  |  | 0–0  | -- | -- | --

Source: thefa.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record

## Squad statistics

[edit]

### Appearances

[edit]

As of 2 May 2021

Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.

No. | Pos | Nat | Player  | Total | League | FA Cup | League Cup

|
|
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|

Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
1  | GK |  ENG | Rachael Laws | 19 | 0 | 17+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
2  | DF |  ENG | Becky Jane | 16 | 3 | 12+2 | 3 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0
3  | DF |  ENG | Leighanne Robe | 17 | 0 | 12+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0
4  | MF |  WAL | Rhiannon Roberts | 22 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0
5  | DF |  IRL | Niamh Fahey | 23 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 0+1 | 0 | 3 | 0
6  | DF |  ENG | Sophie Bradley-Auckland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
7  | FW |  ENG | Jessica Clarke | 12 | 1 | 4+6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0
8  | MF |  ENG | Jade Bailey | 15 | 1 | 11+1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0
9  | FW |  DEN | Amalie Thestrup | 21 | 4 | 12+5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2+1 | 0
10  | FW |  ENG | Rinsola Babajide | 15 | 6 | 11+1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2+1 | 1
11  | MF |  ENG | Melissa Lawley | 23 | 3 | 14+5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0
12  | DF |  ENG | Taylor Hinds | 24 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0
13  | GK |  CAN | Rylee Foster | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0
14  | FW |  ENG | Ashley Hodson | 14 | 0 | 9+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0
15  | DF |  NZL | Meikayla Moore | 19 | 2 | 11+4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2+1 | 0
18  | MF |  WAL | Ceri Holland | 8 | 3 | 5+2 | 3 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0
19  | MF |  ENG | Amy Rodgers | 16 | 3 | 10+4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0
21  | MF |  ENG | Missy Bo Kearns | 19 | 2 | 8+7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1+2 | 0
24  | FW |  ENG | Kirsty Linnett | 15 | 1 | 8+5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
27  | MF |  NIR | Rachel Furness | 19 | 7 | 13+3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2+1 | 2
30  | MF |  ENG | Emily Brough | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
32  | DF |  ENG | Lucy Parry | 8 | 0 | 2+3 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+2 | 0
| GK |  ENG | Eleanor Heeps | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
| FW |  ENG | Mia Ross | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0

## Transfers

[edit]

### Transfers in

[edit]

Date  | Position  | Nationality  | Name  | From  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

7 July 2020  | GK  |  | Rachael Laws |  Reading | [10]
16 July 2020  | DF  |  | Taylor Hinds |  Everton | [11]
17 July 2020  | FW  |  | Amalie Thestrup |  Roma | [12]
28 August 2020  | DF  |  | Meikayla Moore |  MSV Duisburg | [13]
28 January 2021  | MF  |  | Ceri Holland |  Kansas Jayhawks | [14]

### Transfers out

[edit]

Date  | Position  | Nationality  | Name  | To  | Ref.

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|
|
|
|

23 May 2020  | FW  |  | Courtney Sweetman-Kirk |  Sheffield United | [15][16]
29 May 2020  | GK  |  | Anke Preuß |  Vittsjö | [17][18]
30 May 2020  | MF  |  | Christie Murray |  Birmingham City | [19][20]
2 June 2020  | GK  |  | Fran Kitching |  Sheffield United | [21][22]
19 June 2020  | FW  |  | Niamh Charles |  Chelsea | [23][24]
2 July 2020  | DF  |  | Jemma Purfield |  Bristol City | [25][26]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Liverpool Ladies FC club history". Liverpool Ladies FC. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
2. ^ "Niamh Fahey named new captain of Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC.
3. ^ "Vicky Jepson: Liverpool Women's manager leaves club by mutual consent". Sky Sports.
4. ^ "Liverpool FC Women club statement". Liverpool FC.
5. ^ "LIVERPOOL FC WOMEN". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
6. ^ Kelly, Andy (5 August 2019). "Niamh Fahey appointed vice-captain of Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
7. ^ "LFC Women to commence pre-season fixtures on Sunday". Liverpool FC.
8. ^ "The Women's FA Cup Season 2020–21 List of Exemptions" (PDF). thefa.com. The Football Association. 10 August 2020.
9. ^ "Women's FA Cup to remain suspended during coronavirus lockdown". Sky Sports.
10. ^ "Liverpool FC Women complete Rachael Laws signing". Liverpool FC.
11. ^ "Taylor Hinds joins Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC.
12. ^ "Amalie Thestrup signs for Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC.
13. ^ "Liverpool FC Women complete signing of Meikayla Moore". Liverpool FC.
14. ^ "LFC Women complete signing of midfielder Ceri Holland". Liverpool FC.
15. ^ "Liverpool FC Women confirm Courtney Sweetman-Kirk departure". www.liverpoolfc.com.
16. ^ "Courtney Sweetman-Kirk signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
17. ^ "Anke Preuss to leave Liverpool FC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
18. ^ "Vittsjö värvar Anke Preuss från Liverpool efter skadan". www.expressen.se (in Swedish).
19. ^ "Christie Murray to leave Liverpool FC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
20. ^ "Christie Murray joins Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
21. ^ "Fran Kitching to depart Liverpool FC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
22. ^ "Fran Kitching signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
23. ^ "Niamh Charles departs Liverpool FC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
24. ^ "Chelsea FC Women recruit Niamh Charles". www.chelseafc.com.[permanent dead link‍]
25. ^ "Jemma Purfield departs LFC Women". www.liverpoolfc.com.
26. ^ "Jemma Purfield is a Robin". Bristol City.

* v
* t
* e

2020–21 in English women's football

« 2019–20

2021–22 »

National teams|

* Senior
* U21
* U19
* U17

League
competitions|

| Level 1|

* Women's Super League

|

Level 2|

* Women's Championship

Level 3|

* FA Women's National League Premier Division (North, South)

Level 4|

* FA Women's National League Division One (Midlands, North, South East, South West)

Cup competitions|

* FA Cup (Final)
* Community Shield
* League Cup (Final)
* National League Cup
* National League Plate
* UEFA Champions League

Youth competitions|

| Under-18|

None

|

Club seasons

FA WSL|

* Arsenal
* Aston Villa
* Birmingham City
* Brighton & Hove Albion
* Bristol City
* Chelsea
* Everton
* Manchester City
* Manchester United
* Reading
* Tottenham Hotspur
* West Ham United

Championship|

* Blackburn Rovers
* Charlton Athletic
* Coventry United
* Crystal Palace
* Durham
* Leicester City
* Lewes
* Liverpool
* London Bees
* London City Lionesses
* Sheffield United

*[No.]: Squad number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points
*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[WPEN]: Won after penalty shootout
*[LPEN]: Lost after penalty shootout
*[Nat]: Nationality