Gareth Taylor makes the third transfer for Liverpool this summer (Credits: Imago Images)
Arne Slot has had a blast in the summer transfer window. Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and the list goes on, with most of them being record-breaking transfers in their own right.
The window has been quiet in the women’s division, though. New gaffer Gareth Taylor has only made three changes in total as the Englishman arrived in August.
Taylor spent his first five years coaching Manchester City’s women’s side, where he won the Women’s FA Cup and the FA Women’s League Cup.
Arriving in August, the former Manchester City manager didn’t have much time for decision-making in the transfer market. However, he did sign Swedish striker Beata Olsson on deadline day, alongside Japanese full-back Riza Shimusu.
According to AS, the third signing of the season would be Spanish full-back Alejandra Bernabé. The 23-year-old Spanish international was on a season-long loan at Liverpool from Chelsea.
The Blues signed her after her promising loan spells with Eibar and Real Sociedad. Her actual employers were Atlético Madrid at the time, where she spent a significant chunk of her youth career.
A product of the Madrid Club de Futbol Feminino’s Academy, the Spanish youngster has shown much promise at the age of 23. Injuries were her only problem last season as uncertainty loomed over her head.
Quiz: Can you name the team Liverpool signed these players from?
Injuries and future uncertainty
“We’ll miss her for the rest of the season,” were the words of ex-Liverpool manager Amber Whiteley. Bernabé injured her right hamstring just when she was on the brink of regularity.
She had a hard time at Chelsea, where the squad reached 40 players under Sonia Bompastor. A loan was imminent as she went back home to Real Sociedad to continue playing regular football.
Alejandra was on a three-year deal at Chelsea, and her second year was spent away, too, at Liverpool, where she showed promise again before injury struck.
Things weren’t looking good for her as Amber Whiteley’s time at Anfield looked short. With only one year left on her contract, Taylor took a chance and signed the full-back on loan, making it the first Spanish women’s player transfer between two English clubs.
In a way, Bernabé’s return was imminent, considering the left-back situation at Liverpool. After her injury, Taylor Hinds, who plays prominently as a midfielder, was covering the role, which signalled a significant lack of defensive depth.
Arriving in Merseyside in August, Gareth Taylor wasn’t given much time to build his team before the campaign started; hence, he had to rely on connections to secure a complete team.
About the Author
