Why are Liverpool's Women in such a sorry state in the WSL?

While Liverpool's men are top of the Premier League and preparing to play in the richest country in the world this week, their women's side need to take a long hard look at themselves if they are to avoid relegation to the Championship.

With just three points to their name 10 games into the FA Women's Super League campaign ahead of the winter break – helped by a vital draw at home to Chelsea on Sunday – the finger would ordinarily be pointed at the manager in charge.

But in this case – long-time club servant Vicky Jepson could easily argue her hands have been tied.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes described Liverpool's facilities for their women as a 'stain' on the overall football club. And this season has been a struggle for the Reds.

Shipping out five players in the summer and being restricted to signing just three, it is little wonder Jepson has struggled to make her mark.

Liverpool - who supposedly have the backing of one of the biggest Premier League clubs in the country – have been overtaken by top-flight rivals who have seen the value in investing in their women's side: Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and even WSL newcomers Manchester United.

But the Reds are hardly a side strapped for cash – after all, this is a club that broke the world record for the biggest pre-tax profit made by a football club during the 2017-18 financial year.

And during this period, they proudly revealed Jurgen Klopp had seen the 'biggest reinvestment in the squad in the club's history', with 'total outgoings on new players in excess of £190m'.

So why isn't Jepson also enjoying Liverpool's riches given they're probably in the best financial health than ever before?

That's a question only CEO Peter Moore can answer.

Moore – also a director of the subsidiary company which the women's team falls under – signed accounts that confirm the parent company 'The Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Limited' were committed to 'continuing to provide financial and other support' to Jepson's side.

And given during the same financial period 'Liverpool Women's FC Limited' suffered a loss before taxation of £129,230, it's likely Moore is ensuring the Premier League giants foot some of their bills at least – but there are few signs of spending any more than is absolutely necessary.

With the women's 27-day transfer window in England opening on December 27, Liverpool have chance to at least start putting some of those wrongs right.

But sitting back and allowing Jepson's side to drop into the second tier of women's football – a very real possibility as we reach the midway point of the FA WSL season – would be a bad look for the champions of Europe en-route to re-establishing themselves as a global superpower of the game.

There's little suggestion Liverpool will make room for Jepson's side at the new £50m Kirkby training centre when it is completed next summer. On a site set to span some 9,200sqm, you've got to wonder why not?

Only last month club communications suggested the world-class facility would be dedicated to 'first team and youth football operations'.

Liverpool currently play their home fixtures at Prenton Park, the home of League One side Tranmere Rovers, almost seven miles from Anfield. After visiting Chelsea manager Hayes watched her side come back from going a goal behind there on Sunday she openly criticised the standard of the pitch.

'That pitch shouldn't be part of our league, we deserve better standards and I think for Liverpool Football Club, champions of Europe, they should provide their women's team with significantly more than they're doing,' claimed Hayes.

Hayes, on the other hand, has firm support from Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, thought to be a fan of the women's system in his native USA.

She added: 'I think the quality of that pitch, the worst in the league, is a stain on their football club.'

Though it's not the first time Hayes has made critical remarks after watching her side fail to collect all three points – and possibly by way of deflection in this instance – it is food for thought at least.

When the Liverpool hierarchy are mounting Klopp's next big recruitment drive in January perhaps they might spare a thought for Jepson's struggles.

She is trying anything to sort this team out - but not all of the problems are here own.