The Liverpool FC Women still do not have a permanent manager as they enter their second week of preseason, but the club have continued to build a squad for when an appointment is made. After a trio of new signings two weeks ago, managing director Andy O’Boyle was able to get three players to put pen to paper for contract extensions.
Midfielder and Japan international Fuka Nagano extending her stay with the Reds was certainly the headline of the last week, but two of Liverpool’s younger players also
decided to stay with the club after their contracts were set to expire.
Goalkeeper Faye Kirby signed a new deal last Tuesday while attacker Mia Enderby followed suit on Thursday. The two players, 21 and 20 years old respectively, represent a core of young talent that includes homegrown players Lucy Parry, Hannah Silcock, and Zara Shaw. New midfield signing Kirsty Maclean is also only 20 years old.
Kirby first joined Liverpool in 2022 and made three starts in the WSL. She was named the club’s Young Player of the Season, and was set to get additional starting experience on loan with Aberdeen FC in Scotland last season. She started off well, making 7 starts, but unfortunately saw her season cut short with an ACL injury in September.
Kirby was able to recover from her injury in time to make several matchday squads at the tail end of last season. Kirby will be fighting for the starting gloves with the incumbent veteran Rachael Laws and new signing Rafaela Borggräfe.
At her signing, Kirby said discussions on a new contract had been happening for quite some time. She’s excited for the opportunity to fight for a starting role, and is committed to help push the other goalkeepers.
“It feels great to get it over the line. Obviously there have been talks behind the scenes for quite a while now. So, I’m just over the moon to get it done and get going now. I feel like we’ve got a strong [goalkeeping] group. At the end of the day there’s only one shirt but we’re going to push each other. Whoever gets that starting position has obviously earned it, so we’re just there to support. We’ll push each other every day and you never know what can happen.”
Mia Enderby joined a year after Kirby, initially signing with the Reds in 2023. The England youth international was considered one of the top young talents when she joined from Sheffield United. Despite her young age, Enderby has already made 42 appearances for Liverpool over her two seasons with the club. She has scored six goals during her time, all in cup competition. While most of Enderby’s appearances have been off the bench in WSL play, she will have a chance to earn an expanded role after the departure of Olivia Smith. Enderby is chomping at the bit to get going with the season after signing her contract extension.
“I’ve been here for a couple of years now and I just can’t wait to get started [in 2025-26]. Pre-season is going well and we just can’t wait to get going. Off the pitch we’re a big family. It’s really important to have a bond with the players because obviously that helps us on the pitch as well. We just can’t wait to get started now.”
At her signing Enderby also described the transition after joining Liverpool in the WSL after tearing up the Championship with Sheffield United. She struggled to immediately replicate her success at the lower tier, scoring 7 goals in 19 appearances in the 2022-23 season, but has had to shift her mindset to providing a boost to the Reds in whatever capacity she plays in, whether as a starter or an attacking spark off the bench.
“I feel like at first it was hard, coming in as a young player and with how big the WSL is now. I feel like I try my best. When I’m coming off the bench, I try to help the team as much as I can – and that’s providing goals and assists.”
With Kirby and Enderby both joining Fuka Nagano in signing contract extensions, Liverpool now have a confirmed roster of 21 senior team players. That number does include 18 year old Zara Shaw, who will likely miss much of the season as she recovers from her second ACL injury. It is likely that the Reds will sign one or two new players. The squad is still very thin at the fullback position, with only Lucy Parry and new signing Lily Woodham as true outside back. There is room for another attacker as well after the departure of Olivia Smith and the injury history of both Leanne Kiernan and Sophie Roman Huag.
And of course, the biggest area of need is a new permanent manager. Tom Garry of the Guardian has stated that an agreement with Gareth Taylor is still expected to happen, but there are details still being sorted out from his previous contract with Manchester City.
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