Liverpool has new benchmark for next season after Chelsea and Manchester United triumphs

Anyone searching for clear evidence of Liverpool's remarkable evolution this term only need look at the Reds last two results in the Women's Super League (WSL).

After a campaign of enormous progress, it felt like the back-to-back games against Chelsea and Manchester United were something of a free hit for Matt Beard's side, who had already bettered their overall points tally from last season. But, if any outsiders were expecting Liverpool to take its foot of the gas as the end of the campaign rapidly hurtles into view, they would have got a rude awakening when the Reds took to the pitch against the reigning champions last Wednesday night.

When Chelsea took the lead through an Aggie Beever-Jones header inside nine minutes at Prenton Park, it looked like it was going to be a long night for the hosts, who were beaten 5-1 in the reverse fixture back in November. But a resilient defensive display prevented the Blues from extending its lead in the first half before Sophie Roman Haug restored parity shortly after the restart.

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What came next was 40 minutes of glorious chaos in which Liverpool twice took the lead before being pegged back by Emma Hayes' title-chasers. However, the Reds simply refused to settle for a point and snatched the win with a stoppage-time header from center-back Gemma Bonner, making her 150th competitive appearance for the club.

"It was a special night and I’m just delighted we were able to come away with the three points," Bonner said after the match. "It was a difficult game but I think we saw it as an opportunity. There was no pressure on us coming into the game and we knew we were going to get chances.

"We knew if we were aggressive and didn’t fear them then we had the capability to hurt them. We know within the group when we have our day then we're capable of having these results but it's just about finding about that consistency now."

And Liverpool did not have to wait long to prove the result was no flash in the pan as, just four days later, it recorded a first ever WSL double over United at Prenton Park. This time it was Jenna Clark who made herself the hero, nodding home from a well-worked set piece to secure a precious three points for Beard's side.

Crucially, the result saw Liverpool leapfrog United to move into fourth place which — when you consider the Manchester club finished 33 points above the Reds last term — is a real indicator of the progress made on Merseyside over the course of the last year.

Should Liverpool get a point against Leicester City on the final day, it will now be guaranteed to finish above its archrivals and, while finishing fourth does not qualify for Europe in the women's game, it is another sign of the Reds' effectiveness of closing the gap on the top flight's elite.

This, however, must be the benchmark for the club going forward. Its brilliance this term means mediocrity will no longer be accepted and Liverpool must strive to compete for a Champions League spot next season. For now, though, the Reds can reflect on a job well done and be very excited about what the future holds.