St Helens ‘feels like home’ for Liverpool despite wait for WSL win at ground

While results on the pitch are still a work in progress, Liverpool’s work off it has been a success – with their move to St Helens coinciding with upgraded training facilities at Melwood.

The club’s fundraising charity – the LFC Foundation – started a new hub at the women’s stadium this week, linking up with their rugby club counterparts.

They hope it will help expand their fanbase in Merseyside, with the stadium relocation plotting them a distance away from the Wirral, where the majority of Liverpool Women’s season-ticket holders come from.

Nicki Fitzpatrick, a loyal supporter for the past five years, is one of those making the longer trip for home matches this season.

“Obviously it’s a bit of a travel for some supporters. One of the buses was late this morning so there’s always a little bit of a worry with travel considering it’s a home game,” she told BBC Sport.

“But I think it’s a great move and it’s a red stadium. The concourse is really nice inside. It’s spacious and during the winter we can actually head inside.

“The pre-match build-up is really nice and it’s a lot better than it was at Prenton Park.”

Before kick-off, fans can huddle in a controlled area outside to see players walk into the stadium and take pictures.

There is a new fanzone with small-sided football cages, penalty shootout competitions, creative spaces for bracelet making and a musician performing in the bar, which mirrors the pre-match offering at Anfield.

The club are also able to sell hospitality packages and offer friends and family seats in private areas.

Olivia Brack, 11, who is a season-ticket holder with her dad, says she prefers the experience at St Helens.

“There’s more stuff for the fans here than there was at Prenton Park,” she told BBC Sport.

“We usually go to the fanzone and meet up with lots of other supporters, then we tend to get some food from the stadium. I like it.”