Picked this up from LWFC reddit. Posted by spherocytes.
At first glance, [Vivien Endemann’s] move to Liverpool FC [surprised]. But for its decline last season, tens of reasons can be found - whimsical and terrible. Where to go for the second-to-last in the standings with the German national player.
She reportedly had even more lucrative offers on the table. Yet in April, Germany international Vivien Endemann decided to join Liverpool FC. A move that surprised quite a few observers. After all, the historic club has finishing second to last last season. So why has Liverpool become Endemann’s new home?
Beyond the prospect of plenty of playing time [in the WSL] the 24-year-old attacking player had other reasons for her decision: First, the professional structures at the renowned LFC. Second, head coach Gareth Taylor and managing director Andy O’Boyle. And third, their vision for guiding the club back into the upper third of the table.
There were countless reasons for the miserable season [2025/26]. The problems began with the search for a new head coach. After an extensive recruitment process [they] settled on Taylor. The catch was that Taylor’s contract with Manchester City contained a non-compete clause lasting several months, meaning that after his departure from City he was not able to officially begin work until August.
[Furthermore], Rob Clarkson, Liverpool’s Head of Recruitment, didn’t officially join the club until one day before the summer transfer window closed. By that stage, the club’s summer recruitment campaign had already gone badly off track. Liverpool failed to adequately replace key departures such as Taylor Hinds and Olivia Smith. Although four players arrived on the final day of the transfer window, the moves appeared somewhat panicked.
From there, things went from bad to worse.. Liverpool failed to win a single league match during the first half of the season and struggled to adapt to Taylor’s more possession-oriented style of play. Injuries also took their toll. On top of that, the club was struck by several tragic events. In September 2025, former Liverpool manager Matt Beard passed away at the age of 47. Then the women’s team kit manager, also passed away at just 44 years of age. By comparison, the investigation involving Germany U23 goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe over an allegedly discriminatory remark seemed relatively insignificant.
Meanwhile, Clarkson and O’Boyle worked intensively behind the scenes on reshaping the squad. They familiarized themselves with the club’s structures, traveled across Europe scouting talent and spent more than €1 million during the winter transfer window. In hindsight, that winter recruitment drive must be considered a success. After collecting just three points and sitting bottom of the table at the halfway stage, Taylor’s team ended the season in second-last place, eight points clear of relegated Leicester.
The challenge now, he explained, is to “make sure we make the right personnel decisions so that we can continue climbing the table.” Which brings us back to Endemann. Liverpool certainly needs that kind of quality after such a dreadful campaign.
However, Endemann is not the only player arriving from Germany’s top division on a free transfer. Central defender Sara Agrez, who most recently spent two years at 1. FC Köln after her time at Wolfsburg, will also wear the Reds’ shirt in the future. The mission is clear: Continue the progress made over recent months through smart planning, a far better-prepared transfer window and sufficient time during pre-season preparations.
Credit to Lightcastle for helping with article access, translation, and permission to share.