Official: Liverpool FC Women Relegated to Championship

Liverpool FC Women are, as of today, no longer in the top flight, having been officially relegated from the FA Women’s Super League to the Championship after the league moved to use points per game to determine the final standings after curtailing the season.

Not that they ever had any real chance of staying up, not once the decision was made to suspend the season. Not when they sat in last place, a point behind Birmingham despite having played a game more than their nearest opponent in the survival battle.

“We believe we would have been able to meet all operational requirements but a return to play was deemed impractical,” read a statement from the club, decrying the decision to end the season rather than finding a way to play it out—and maybe give the Reds a chance.

“As proud founder members of the WSL, our fans greatly value our position within the league and we hoped for the opportunity to secure our status on the pitch, and we are committed to continuing to grow the women’s game in this country with our fellow teams.”

It is perhaps fair to raise an eyebrow at the decision not to try to find a way to play out the season while the men’s game moves towards a return, yet there is little doubt Liverpool FC Women deserve to be where they. Relegated and with key players again exiting the club.

Outside of being occasionally useful for PR purposes, Liverpool’s disinterest in their women’s team has been made abundantly clear through their actions, and playing out the season wouldn’t have changed that fundamental fact even if, somehow, they stayed up.

Aston Villa will deservedly replace them in the FAWSL next season. They are survived—comfortably, in most cases—by Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, West Ham, Reading, and Everton, all of whom have shown more commitment to their women’s teams than the Reds.

“We wish all the WSL teams well and look forward to seeing them again soon,” added the club on the matter, though if things remain unchanged for LFCW between now and whenever the next Championship season starts, they will have little hope of promotion.