Emma Hayes mocked by Liverpool fans after Chelsea Women dealt WSL title blow
Liverpool fans have taken great delight in dampening the championship hopes of outgoing Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, by cheekily adopting a Jurgen Klopp chant.
It was an unfortunate week for the Blues who, after losing the Continental Cup final and getting knocked out from both the FA Cup and Champions League semi-finals. They had pinned their last hopes on the Women's Super League but suffered a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool.
Aggie Beever-Jones scored the first for the visitors but a frenetic second half saw Liverpool draw level before Gemma Bonner lifted the hosts to a 2-1 lead. Beever-Jones restored parity, followed by a splendid finish from Leanne Kiernan and an own-goal from Teagan Micah.
With the score level Bonner, celebrating her 150th appearance for Liverpool, rose highest and once again beat Chelsea from a corner, all but confirming that Hayes will leave Chelsea without any trophies in her final season. Meanwhile, Liverpool fans, knowing the consequences of their win, sang loudly, "you lost the league at Prenton Park" as a dejected Hayes sat on the Chelsea bench.
Hayes seemed to agree with the opposition supporters, as she declared afterwards: "The title is done. Of course mathematically it's not done, but I think the title is done."
Last week, Liverpool fans heard "you lost the league at Goodison Park" sung by Everton fans after their team's 2-0 victory. This week, the tables were turned. Interestingly, both Klopp and Hayes announced their departures earlier in the season, sparking questions about their commitment to seeing out the campaign.
While Klopp did manage to lift the Carabao Cup, Hayes saw her Chelsea side relinquish the title to Manchester City. While Klopp boasted an impressive record at Goodison Park, losing just once in 19 meetings, Chelsea entered their fixture against Liverpool knowing they had already fallen victim to the Reds this season, losing 2-1 in the opening game last year.
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Under Matt Beard, Liverpool have grown into a formidable force. Currently sitting level on points with last season's runners-up Manchester United, they remain in contention for a fourth-place finish. United suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to the Reds in December, a result that highlighted Liverpool's rise and United's apparent decline this season.
Marc Skinner's team will head to Prenton Park this weekend for a match that could determine who secures a top-four finish. Although European football isn't guaranteed with this position, it would be the first time since the 2018/19 season that Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United made up the top four.