Watch: Liverpool Women’s Academy Manager Talk About the Future of the Club

As Liverpool’s men’s side were pulling off miracles at Aston Villa, the women’s side were suffered another frustrating defeat to Villa women in the Continental Tyres Cup last night. It’s been difficult keeping a positive outlook as a Liverpool Women’s fan in the last few seasons, especially for those of us who still remember the club’s heyday.

The writers on this site have spent a lot of time talking about investment into the women’s side, the lack of resources afforded to the team (especially in comparison to the men’s side), and have suggested several concrete ways to make sure the club gives the women who play for the club (and all their fans!) what they deserve.

So it’s always gratifying to hear what the Academy is doing to help build and sustain up and coming talents. CBBC Newsround met with Julie Grundy, Liverpool Women’s academy manager, to talk about training styles and how much she’s hoping to produce a future England captain.

“I think [mixed training] is the way forward,” Grundy said. “It helps [girls] develop tempo of play and their physicality and in terms of the social aspect, [girls playing football] becomes the norm. It’s just a day-to-day thing that they’re used to playing [together] now.”

It’s promising to hear Grundy say that, and it’s an incredibly important step towards a future where we can follow and cheer on the Rinsola Babajides alongside the Trent Alexander Arnolds.

That said, a positive attitude and training geared towards sustaining talent in the academy doesn’t preclude us from continuing to push the club to invest in the current side. The players are good. The coaching staff is good. Liverpool Women aren’t going to be winning the league any time soon, but there’s no reason for the side to suffer one frustrating defeat after another when a little bit more investment from the club can turn things around.

You can watch the full interview with Grundy on the BBC. Liverpool Women will meet Everton next at Anfield—the first time the stadium will host a Women’s Super League match.