Gareth Taylor masterclass emerges as Liverpool Women finalise signing
Gareth Taylor faced a difficult job in transforming his Liverpool Women’s side this summer.
Liverpool appointed former Manchester City boss Taylor in August, after Amber Whiteley had managed in an interim role after Matt Beard’s departure in February.
The squad was in need of a major revamp after Liverpool lost Olivia Smith to Arsenal in a record-setting deal, and vice-captain Taylor Hinds also joined the Gunners.
Liverpool signed Beata Olsson, Emilia Szymczak and brought Alejandra Bernabe back from Chelsea on a permanent deal on transfer deadline day.
However, their last piece of business may be their best.
Liverpool sign Risa Shimizu from Manchester City
Fuka Nagano is Liverpool’s Japanese star, but now they have another after Risa Shimizu signed on a season-long loan from City.
After she signed, Shimizu spoke to the Reds’ media team, and revealed that her familiarity with Taylor was a major factor in her decision to join the Merseysiders for the season.
She said: “I know what type of football the coach plays from our time together at City, so I thought it was the right fit for me and that’s why I chose this club.”
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Gareth Taylor pulls off a masterclass bringing Risa Shimizu to Liverpool
It always helps a new manager to have a player that is used to the football that they want to play and that is exactly what Taylor has in Shimizu.
The right-back appeared in all 44 matches for West Ham in two years with the London outfit before moving to City in 2024.
- Shimizu has 79 caps for the Japan national team
- Has featured at two Women’s World Cups
- 44 appearances in the WSL, none for City, as injury hit just after her move
She would be hit with an anterior cruciate ligament injury that prevented her from playing a single minute for the Citizens.
However, she still learnt what Taylor wants from his players, and that can benefit the Reds as they seek to improve on a dismal campaign last time out that saw Beard lose his job and Whiteley not kept on.
The L4 outfit finished in seventh place in the Women’s Super League, a far cry from a remarkable fourth place finish the season before, and they will hope that Taylor and the new additions can fire them up the table.
The Reds last won the WSL in 2014, and they are miles away from the top echelons of the Women’s game at the moment.
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