After the superb 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the profile of the women’s game had never been higher. A newfound interest had emerged and an entire generation inspired.
Fast forward four months and the Merseyside derby is played in front of a sell-out 23,500 strong crowd. It is fair to assume that the women’s game is more popular than ever.
Everton’s marginal 1-0 victory over the hosts Liverpool was a stunning event for the sport, partnered by the North London Derby playing for a record 38,262 people, a record for the WSL.
Liverpool Women’s manager, Vicky Jepsen, in high spirits despite the loss, claimed that this was a fantastic event for the sport. After the match, she said: “It is a great day for the women’s game. It was great to see another big crowd here and I am sure we will see more and more as the women’s game starts to blossom.”
Despite the defeat, which Liverpool will have felt hard done by, it is to be expected that Jepsen will wish every game could be played out in front of a large crowd. As her side struggle at the foot of the WSL, she will be wishing for the famous Anfield atmosphere every week in order to inspire her side to get out of the rut they’re currently in.
Similarly to Vicky Jepsen, Everton boss Willie Kirk was also thrilled with the turnout. He said: “I certainly cant talk about other stadiums but the atmosphere here was fantastic.”
”I don’t know what the numbers were [23,500] but it felt like about 50,000 and I’m sure some of the players also felt like that in the closing stages.”
“I think 23,500 is excellent, for one off occasions it works and it is moving the game in the right direction. Hopefully the other games have had that surge as well and it’ll have been a good weekend for women’s football.”
Following the success of this weekend, in which the WSL capitalised on the vacant stadiums due to the men’s international break, it is definite that this is an event which will happen again in future. The only way to keep on progressing this sport is to give it the exposure it deserves and allow these weekends to happen.
