Women’s FA Cup: What does semi-final success mean for Liverpool?

Liverpool have made a terrible start to the season with just two points from their first 10 WSL matches.

They sold key player Olivia Smith to Arsenal for a record £1m in the summer and vice-captain Taylor Hinds followed suit.

By the time manager Taylor was appointed – just four weeks before the start of the season – Liverpool were already behind in their recruitment and scrambling to bring in players, including three deadline day signings.

Their thin squad included striker Sophie Roman Haug and playmaker Marie Hobinger suffering anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Liverpool also suffered tragedy following the sudden deaths of former manager Matt Beard and kit man Jonathan Humble, while men’s team forward Diogo Jota died in the summer.

“It’s been tough in the first part of the season. There’s no doubt we’ve been through a lot on and off the field,” Taylor told BBC Sport.

“The FA Cup, and how far we’ve come, is something that’s really inspiring for everyone because you don’t always get the prize in football.

“Football isn’t fair, life isn’t fair – it doesn’t work that way. But this group of players behaved exceptionally well in difficult moments.

“They really stood together as a team and that’s what got us to this point.”

Taylor has pointed to new arrivals in January as one of the main reasons for Liverpool’s turnaround.

Midfielder Denis O’Sullivan has impressed, making 11 appearances since January, while Alice Bergstrom has scored three goals in her first three matches.

On-loan Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, already a fan favourite, was the only winter signing to make a memorable start for Liverpool. 3-2 win over Everton in March, but Taylor believes the competition for training places has also lifted everyone’s level.

Players experience a change for improvement.

“The club has been through a rollercoaster season, with some tough times,” O’Sullivan said.

“I think bringing in players to add depth and strengthen the squad has had an impact. Everyone has contributed to the success.

“The mindset of the team has changed. Every game we go into now, we want to win and we’re settling for less.”