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

Academy graduate Zara Shaw scored a stoppage-time winner in the quarter-finals [Getty Images]

Liverpool's season has largely not gone to plan, but the Women's Super League side are potentially two wins away from lifting a major trophy.

Gareth Taylor's team have a massive opportunity as they take on Brighton in Sunday's Women's FA Cup semi-finals (12:15 BST).

The Reds sit second bottom in the WSL with one game left, having won only four of their 21 league games.

Taylor's late appointment in the summer, leading to issues with recruitment following the departure of star players, meant Liverpool had a poor start.

All four of their WSL wins have come in the new year, with players arriving in January and boosting their position, pulling them away from relegation danger.

It means the Reds are revitalised as they aim to reach a fourth Women's FA Cup final, having lost three successive trophy matches between 1994 and 1996 - the first of those in their previous guise as Knowsley United.

Manager Taylor says the club wants to give fans "the reward they deserve" by reaching the final at Wembley.

Top scorer Beata Olsson told BBC Sport: "It's an aspiration of the club. Playing for Liverpool, you always want to get titles.

"We've had a tough season in many ways, but this type of ending would be incredible. A lot of people talked about us as performing poorly and that we didn't really have what it takes.

"I can agree with that in parts, but now I don't hear so many people saying that. We really trusted ourselves and this would be a way to prove it even more."

How have they turned it around?

Liverpool made a dire start to the season by taking just two points from their opening 10 WSL matches.

They had sold key player Olivia Smith to Arsenal for a record £1m in the summer and vice-captain Taylor Hinds went in the same direction.

By the time manager Taylor was appointed - just four weeks before the start of the season - Liverpool were already behind in their recruitment and scrambled to bring in players, including three signings on deadline day.

Their thin squad was hit by anterior cruciate ligament knee injuries to striker Sophie Roman Haug and playmaker Marie Hobinger.

Liverpool also had to deal with tragedy following the sudden deaths of former manager Matt Beard and kit man Jonathan Humble, while men's team forward Diogo Jota died in the summer.

"It was difficult in the first part of the season. There's no doubts we encountered a lot on and off the pitch," Taylor told BBC Sport.

"The FA Cup, and how far we've gone, is something that's really inspiring for everyone because you don't always get rewards in football.

"Football's not fair, life's not fair - it doesn't work that way. But this group of players have behaved exceptionally well in the difficult moments.

"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?

Gareth Taylor led Manchester City to three domestic cup finals and won two [Getty Images]

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."

[BBC]

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

• Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page