“Written in the stars”: Why Liverpool took a deserved victory at “resilient” Bristol City to seal their WSL return – tactical analysis

The Women’s Championship is an unpredictable league at the best of times, and 2021/2022 has been no exception to that. The two newly promoted sides, Watford Women and Sunderland Women, looked to be the two sides competing to stay in the division at one stage, before a 10-point deduction for Coventry United at Christmas put them firmly into the relegation picture. Meanwhile, at the summit, Durham Women and London City Lionesses both had good starts but have since tailed off, allowing others like Bristol City Women to mount their own promotion campaigns.

However, one team who have been consistent all season is Liverpool Women, with Matt Beard’s side not losing in the league since the opening day (a 1-0 home loss against London City), and a draw at Bristol over the weekend was all they needed to win the title and end their two-year exile from the WSL. This tactical analysis will break down their tactics during the game, explaining how the tweaks that they made in the second half helped them to a well-deserved win. The analysis will also detail Bristol’s game plan, looking at how they tried to contain Liverpool in the early stages, with some success, whilst also identifying where they will feel that they could have done better.

Lineups

Bristol City Women manager Lauren Smith made three changes from the 1-0 away defeat at Sheffield United Women in their last game, with full-back Ella Powell and midfielder Ava Kuyken dropping to the bench, whilst captain Aimee Palmer had picked up an injury during that game. Naomi Layzell switched to right-back from centre-back, with Brooke Aspin coming in to make up the back four, whilst Flo Allen was handed a start in Palmer’s place. The other alternation saw Chloe Bull come in to partner fellow Welsh midfielder Gwen Davies in the centre of the pitch, whilst on-loan Manchester United Women goalkeeper Fran Bentley and Chelsea Women forward Aggie Beever-Jones were once again included.

Liverpool Women boss Matt Beard opted for just one change after the comfortable 3-0 home win against Durham last time out. Left-back Taylor Hinds came in at right wing-back, taking the place of Belgium international Yana Daniëls, whilst former Manchester City Women player Megan Campbell was aiming to continue her recent good form after keeping her place on the other wing. Top scorer Leanne Kiernan continued in a wide right role, with former Houston Dash striker Katie Stengel once again leading the line.