What would Women's FA Cup success do for Liverpool?

"They have really stood together as a team and that is what has got us to this point."

Taylor points to the new arrivals in January as one of the major reasons for Liverpool's turnaround.

Midfielder Denise O'Sullivan has impressed, making 11 appearances since January, while Alice Bergstrom scored three goals in her first three matches.

On-loan Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, already a fan favourite, was the only winter signing who started Liverpool's memorable 3-2 win over Everton in March, but Taylor believes competition for places in training has also lifted everyone's levels.

The players sense a change for the better.

"The club has been through a rollercoaster season, with some tough times," said O'Sullivan.

"I think bringing players in to add depth and strengthen the team has made an impact. Everyone's contributing to the success.

"The mentality of the team has changed. Every game we're going into now, we're looking to win and we're settling for nothing less."

What impact would FA Cup win have?

Image caption,

Gareth Taylor led Manchester City to three domestic cup finals and won two

Having laid down foundations for next season, Liverpool hope a trip to Wembley can be the catalyst for a better campaign in 2026-27.

It has been four years since Liverpool won a trophy - the Women's Championship title in 2022 - and they have never won the Women's FA Cup.

For a club that won back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014, the drop-off has been significant, but O'Sullivan believes they are still capable of success.

"It would mean a lot. It's an amazing club with a lot of history and I think Liverpool should be up there, winning trophies," said O'Sullivan.

"That's what we want to do, so to be in a semi-final of the FA Cup is a credit to everyone who has got us there. We will give it everything."

Olsson, who joined from Swedish club Kristianstads DFF last year, believes playing in cup finals at Wembley is where Liverpool "should be".

"Looking at our season right now, and if we could end it in that way, it sends a really good signal for next year," said Olsson.

"We already have a good feeling that we can do so much more next year. But ending it like that would be a really cool thing."

On the other side of the draw, WSL powerhouses Chelsea face recently crowned league champions Manchester City.

Liverpool boss Taylor says his team cannot underestimate an in-form Brighton side who have gone six games unbeaten and are full of momentum.

Brighton picked up impressive WSL draws with Manchester United and Arsenal, a 3-2 win against Manchester City, and a 2-0 victory over the Gunners in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

"There's three teams alongside us who are all dreaming the same thing," said Taylor.

"Our form has been really good and our games against Brighton have been tight. We know we're really close. We are two games away from lifting a trophy."

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed