Liverpool U21

Formation and early years

The club was founded in 1989 as Newton LFC, by former England international, Liz Deighan. The club rechristened as Knowsley United WFC two years later; becoming the founding members of the National Premier Division organised by the WFA. Knowsley United reached the final of the Premier League Cup in 1993, but lost to Arsenal at Wembley. The local MP, Eddie O'Hara, tabled an Early Day Motion congratulating the club on extending the annual sequence of Merseyside clubs playing in Cup finals at Wembley. In 1994, the club reached the final of the FA Women's Cup, but lost 1–0 to Doncaster Belles at Glanford Park.

In mid-1994, the club linked with Liverpool F.C. and took on the name Liverpool Ladies F.C.

The club finished runners-up in the following two FA Women's Cups. They lost the 1995 final 3–2 to Arsenal at Prenton Park; after twice being ahead through Karen Burke goals, Marieanne Spacey scored a late winner for Arsenal. In the 1996 final, Liverpool and their 15-year-old goalkeeper Rachel Brown, drew 1–1 with Croydon at The Den, but ultimately lost on penalties after extra time.

For most of the 1990s Liverpool were National Premier League mainstays but a lack of support and investment saw them relegated to the Northern Division in 2003. In 2004, they won the Northern Division and earned promotion, but did not stay long as they were relegated again at the end of the season, having won only two games.

Their biggest rivalries were with Everton, but their spells in the second tier led them to develop rivalries with counterparts of male rivals in the lower tiers, such as Tranmere Rovers. The Merseyside derby was rekindled in the 2007–08 season, after Liverpool won back promotion as 2006–07 Northern Division champions.

Surviving their first season back in the FA Women's Premier League National Division, finishing third bottom, they sacked manager David Bradley at the end of the season. The club were relegated into the Northern Division for 2009–10, but won the league losing just one game all season. Liverpool also won the FA Fair Play Award after playing for the whole season without having a single player booked or sent-off.

Liverpool was one of eight founding teams in the Women's Super League in April 2011.

In June 2012, the manager for four seasons Robbie Johnson stepped down from his position. Under Johnson, the team won just two of their 20 games in his last two seasons in charge, having finished bottom in 2011, and with a similar record in 2012. Johnson's assistant Andy Williams was subsequently promoted to the manager's role.

Full time professional era and title winning years

In August 2012, former Chelsea manager Matt Beard was appointed manager on a full-time contract until 2014. When the club finished bottom of the WSL for the second successive season, Beard overhauled his squad by releasing ten players and making high-profile signings including United States national team defender Whitney Engen. The club then announced a move from the West Lancashire College Stadium in Skelmersdale, to the Halton Stadium in Widnes for 2013. In April 2013, Liverpool became the first football club in England to offer their female athletes professional contracts, pioneering the professionalisation of the women's game in England. This ultimately helped lead Liverpool to end Arsenal's nine year dominance and on 29 September 2013, Liverpool won their first top flight title, winning the Women's Super League by beating Bristol City in the end-of-season decider. They retained the title on 12 October 2014 by beating Bristol City 3–0 despite entering the final day in third behind Chelsea and Birmingham City. During that season, Liverpool made their UEFA Women's Champions League debut but were knocked out in the round of 32.

During the 2013 and 2014 title winning seasons, then men's first team manager Brendan Rodgers showed his support to the Women's first team. He believed in the one club mentality with everybody at all levels of the football club being of equal importance. Working alongside Matt Beard, both men and women's first teams would regularly train together at Melwood. In the days leading up to the Bristol City game which would see the women go on and clinch their first title, Rodgers said:

"It's brilliant how well they have done and it's a great effort by all of the players. I met with Matt in pre-season and understood what was a huge task for them but they have had a brilliant season, and now they head into the last game with the title in their hands - which is all you could ever want. We had the chance to work with them here at Melwood and you could see the professionalism. They wanted to do it right and all the staff were brilliant, and very importantly the quality was very good on the day as well. I'm delighted for them. We've tried to make sure we have drawn everyone into the one-club mentality this season. I said to Matt no matter how they do on Sunday, we are very proud of them. The work he's done, his staff and the players, they have been brilliant and they have been right up there at the top of the league all season. It's a game that if you win it, the memories can live with you for a lifetime, and they can go and celebrate then rightly so - so we are hoping they can do that on Sunday. We are all very proud of their achievements and what they have done this season. It has been a great effort and the biggest message is: It's in your hands so go and do what you have done all season and play for the win. If you do that, the quality and determination will come through and let's hope on Sunday night we are all celebrating the title by the women."