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Homecoming (Pt.2)

blp@pistondesign.co.uk (Barry Parker) — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 15:20:02 GMT

Back at Prenton Park

Liverpool FC Women are back at Prenton Park on Wednesday to take on West Ham United in a Continental League Cup quarter-final (kick-off 7.30pm GMT).

The Reds have not played at home since the first week in December and will be aiming for a repeat of the 2-0 scoreline registered when the two teams met in Barclays Women's Super League action last month.

It will be 1,711 days since centre-back Gemma Bonner last played a home game for Liverpool at Prenton Park.

Inside, our cover star reflects on her emotional return to the Reds, working under Matt Beard once again and her hopes of helping the team into the semi-finals.

Elsewhere we introduce the Reds’ three other January arrivals: midfielders Sofie Lundgaard, Fuka Nagano and Miri Taylor.

Carla Humphrey selects her five-a-side dream team, while manager Beard and captain Niamh Fahey offer their latest thoughts from inside the camp.

We put the lowdown on our visitors from the East End and also take a look back at LFC Women’s past Continental League Cup quarter-finals and review the 2022-23 tournament so far.

With fun quizzes and all the facts and stats every Red needs to know along with plenty more besides, be sure to pick up your copy of the official matchday programme, which will be on sale at Prenton Park or order online here .

Training Begins at The Campus

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 12:58:35 GMT

Latest photos from The Campus as Gemma trained with Liverpool FC Women following her return to the club.

Matt Beard's squad are back at work ahead of their Barclays Women's Super League trip to Manchester United Women on January 15.

Scroll through our photos of the Reds' Friday afternoon training session.

Gemma returned to Liverpool FC Women for a second spell at the club in January 2023.

“I have some incredible memories from my time here previously,”

Gemma had previously enjoyed six years with the Reds, captaining the side to back-to-back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014 and Central Defender.

Capped at senior international level by England – departed in 2018 and represented Manchester City and then Racing Louisville FC in the USA.

On Christmas Eve 2022, it was announced she would be returning to Merseyside and linking up with Matt Beard and LFC Women again.

“Growing up as a Liverpool fan it probably means that little bit more. Seeing my shirt with the name on the back again was almost a little emotional...

...The vibe feels good, it feels right to come back, and most importantly hopefully I can show on the pitch and bring something to the team.”

Gemma racked up 115 appearances during her first spell with the Reds.

Photos by Nick Taylor

GEMMA IS RED // RETURN TO LIVERPOOL

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 08:13:51 GMT

Gemma is Back! Career Move Back to Liverpool

Liverpool FC Women are delighted to confirm the signing of Gemma Bonner.

The 31-year-old defender returns to the Reds for a second spell after a period in America with Racing Louisville FC, subject to international clearance and formal approvals.

Bonner captained the then LFC Ladies to two Women’s Super League (WSL) titles in 2013 and 2014 in a hugely successful six-year spell at the club before her departure in 2018.

She then captured two Women’s FA Cups and two Continental Cups at Manchester City before taking on the challenge of joining expansion club Louisville in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2021.

A Women’s Cup success followed in her first season and she was appointed captain in her second but now returns to the Reds to be reunited with former manager Matt Beard.

The centre-back’s record of 115 appearances for LFC Women remains the second highest of the professional era, behind only Ashley Hodson.

LFC Women manager Matt Beard said: “It was too good an opportunity to pass up to bring Gemma back to the football club.

“We had a great working relationship before and she will bring leadership and experience to the team.

“She’s won everything in England with Liverpool and Man City and has now experienced America to broaden her horizons and open her eyes to different football cultures.

“It just feels like she’s coming home.”

Bonner’s CV also includes playing with England at all levels from U17 to U23 and she has 11 full caps for the Lionesses.

She said: “It’s a pretty special moment for me. I still pinch myself when I’m coming into Anfield.

“I’m super excited to be back and I can’t wait to pull the shirt on again and get out there with the girls - and get back playing for Liverpool.

“I was here for quite a while before, it was a hard decision to leave but I think I always knew within myself that one day I would love to come back to Liverpool. Now the time feels right.

“The team have started the season really well, obviously had a successful season last year getting back into the top league. They’ve got good foundations and are definitely building.

“Hopefully I can come in and contribute to the continued progression.”

Bonner views winning those two league titles as among the finest moments in a stellar career.

“One of the proudest things I’ve done is lifting those trophies, especially back to back,” she said.

“I have some incredible memories from my time here previously.

“Growing up as a Liverpool fan it probably means that little bit more. Seeing my shirt today with the name on the back again was almost a little emotional.

“The vibe feels good, it feels right to come back, and most importantly hopefully I can show on the pitch and bring something to the team.”

The Leeds-born player is looking forward to being reunited with manager Beard as well as the LFC Women supporters who have always backed her even after she left the club.

“I know the connection between the players and the fans is a huge part of this club, it’s special and for me it’s quite unique.

“I’m worked with Matt so many times before, he’s so experienced in the women’s game and hopefully we can work well together. He knows me as a player and I know him and how we work together.

“He knows he wants to be successful at Liverpool and that’s the expectation at this club. I know I want to push and keep driving the team to keep on improving and get back to where we were.”

Louisville Project Begins

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 08:10:30 GMT

New Destination for Bonner

Gemma starts NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League’s) journey at Racing Louisville FC’s who's roster contains both World Cup winners and national team-caliber players, plus regularly hosts them having seen stars such as Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Rose Lavelle come through Lynn Family Stadium during its inaugural season.

Upon launching, Racing Louisville made its city home to a major-league sports franchise for the first time in 41 years. The club plays in the NWSL — the world’s top women’s soccer circuit that’s home to most members of the highly successful U.S. national team — and plays at recently opened Lynn Family Stadium.

STATS//

Birthday: July 13, 1991

Hometown: Leeds, England

Height: 5’9”

Previous Team: Manchester City

2022: Bonner started in 20 of Racing’s matches during the regular season. The team’s captain scored the club’s opening goal in its June match against Angel City FC, her first NWSL regular-season goal.

2021: After joining the squad in June, Bonner appeared and started in 13 matches. Despite missing parts of the season with injuries, the veteran defender provided experience to the back line and helped the squad earn two shutouts.

Before Racing Louisville FC: A center back by trade, Bonner has played the balance of her career in England. Career highlights include winning the league cup in 2010 with hometown club Leeds United, an FA Cup Final appearance in 2012 with Chelsea, and two more league crowns in 2013 and 2014 while captaining Liverpool.

Since 2018, Bonner has represented Manchester City, the second-place Women’s Super League finisher in each of her seasons there. Along with living up to her reputation as a versatile defender comfortable in possession, Bonner tallied 10 goals and 3 assists in sky blue.

International: Bonner has played for England at the U-17, U-19, U-23, and senior team levels. In 2009, Bonner was part of a U-19 team that won England the European Championship. She made her senior team debut in 2013, with her most recent call up for the 2019 SheBelieves Cup won by England.