Everton Ladies lose star striker to Liverpool

Courtney Sweetman-Kirk has gone to the dark side. Everton Ladies have lost their star striker to... wait for it... Liverpool Ladies.

At the beginning of last season, Everton Ladies signed Sweetman-Kirk to a two year deal on transfer deadline day. The striker went on to become one of the top goalscorers, netting 9 times in 25 games.

Liverpool reportedly had been eager to sign Sweetman-Kirk last year too and must have sweetened the deal enough to seal the deal this season.

The Liverpool Ladies manager stated on their website:

”I know that a number of other clubs were interested in signing Courtney so we are delighted that she has put faith in our ambitions for the future and chosen to sign for Liverpool Ladies.”

“This is a brilliant signing for the club as Courtney is a proven goalscorer who will offer us a real goal threat for the new season.”

Sadly, Everton has also lost their starting keeper Lizzie Durack to Chelsea Women, and midfielder Mollie Green has left to join for the newly formed Manchester United Women, a team that plays in the WSL2, now called the FA Women’s Championship.

While the club committing to launching the new kits using the women’s team is a stroke of PR genius, but what about a new goalie and striker? The Blue Girls struggled to score last season and without adequate reinforcements on both sides of the pitch, they could be in for a long season.

The Blues will get to see Sweetman-Kirk again in their first preseason game this Sunday against Liverpool Ladies. It will be interesting to see how the two teams look given that Liverpool has made extensive changes in the off season while Everton has brought on two Dutch midfielders while losing several key players.

Pre-season schedule:

• Saturday July 14 - vs Aston Villa (behind closed doors)
• Sunday July 22 – vs Liverpool Ladies, Marine FC, KO: 2pm
• Sunday July 29 – vs Arsenal Women (behind closed doors)
• August 5-13 – Friendship Competition, Gibraltar against LA Salsa and Atletico Madrid