STAR SIGNING: Liverpool forward Stengel’s fantastic first year in England | OneFootball

Liverpool boss Matt Beard linked-up with a familiar face when he brought American forward Katie Stengel to the club during the January 2022 transfer window.

At the time, The Reds were searching for more goals to add the final fuel to their Barclays Women’s Championship title push, as well as trying to reduce the reliance on top scorer Leanne Kiernan.

Beard knew all about Stengel’s qualities with the pair having previously worked together in the United States with the Boston Breakers and the forward has rewarded her manager for his loyalty ever since her move to latest club Liverpool.

In the remainder of the 2021/2022 season, Stengel announced her arrival in England with eight goals in 12 outings in the Barclays Women’s Championship. Despite having been on Merseyside for just four months, Stengel ended the campaign with a league winners’ medal whilst establishing herself as the Barclays Women’s Championship’s fifth-highest goalscorer. Half of Stengel’s goals broke the deadlock in matches, a sign of her importance to the side.

Despite playing at a higher level this season, Stengel has proved to be one of the most consistent strikers in the Barclays Women’s Super League. She has scored six goals in nine league outings, the same number of goals as Chelsea’s Fran Kirby, while only Rachel Daly (Aston Villa) and Khadija Shaw (Manchester City) have netted more times. Stengel has scored in all-but-one of the games in which Liverpool have collected points this season. Her form has helped fill the void which has been left by Leanne Kiernan’s long-term injury.

With 14 goals in 21 league outings in her Liverpool career to date, Stengel has been one of the most impressive signings of 2022. Her value to her team is absolutely huge and she will only get better with time as Liverpool look to establish themselves back in the Barclays Women’s Super League for the foreseeable future.

Statistics: Soccerway