FA Women’s Championship 2020/2021: Liverpool Women v Charlton Athletic Women – tactical analysis

The Women’s Championship is not a particularly well-known or followed league in the English game, with most of the focus being on the WSL. However, following the relegation of Liverpool Women last season, there is likely to be a little more attention on the Championship this season. In this tactical analysis, we will look at their game against Charlton Athletic Women, and see how both sides’ tactics affected the result. In the analysis, we will look at Liverpool’s defence and attack, as well as both sides’ pressing throughout the game.

Lineups

Liverpool Women started the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with goalkeeper Rachael Laws and left-back Taylor Hinds both starting, having both joined this summer from Reading Women and Everton Women respectively. With right-back Becky Jane still coming back to full fitness, centre-back Amy Rodgers injured, and captain Sophie Bradley-Auckland on an extended absence, a makeshift defence was put together with left-back Leighanne Robe playing as the right-sided centre-back, and long-serving forward Ashley Hodson filling in at right-back. Jess Clarke started as the lone striker, with Rinsola Babajide, recently in the England training squad, given a role on the left wing.

Charlton Athletic Women went with a 5-4-1 formation for this game, with the clear intention being to sit back and frustrate Liverpool, stopping them scoring. On-loan Brighton and Hove Albion Women defender Beth Roe started at left-back, with another former Brighton player, Jessica Legg, starting on the left wing. Wales international Alice Griffiths partnered Charley Clifford in the central midfield.