After almost 12 months out with an ACL injury, Liverpool’s Marie Hobinger has begun the 2026/27 Subway Players Cup campaign in style.
The Austria midfielder produced another dynamic attacking performance as the Reds racked up for goals in this competition for the second week running, this time edging a 4-3 thriller away to Birmingham City.
And just as she had in her side’s 4-2 win over Sunderland the previous time out, Hobinger helped herself to a vital brace.
Displaying her threat from range, Hobinger scored both her goals from outside the box, first sweeping home a low left-footed finish to put Liverpool in front after just four minutes.
She later restored the visitors’ lead for the second time nine minutes into the first half, exhibiting her dexterity by sending a dipping right-footed effort over Birmingham goalkeeper Lucy Thomas.
Once again, as she had done against Sunderland, Hobinger captained the team to victory – and, once again, she played 74 minutes before being given a well-earned breather ahead of the Reds’ Barclays Women’s Super League trip to Manchester United on Saturday.
Hobinger has yet to start in the BWSL since returning from her lengthy spell on the sidelines, but she’s certainly making a strong case for greater involvement in head coach Gareth Taylor’s plans.
With four goals at an average of one every 56 minutes in all competitions this season, she’s statistically Liverpool’s most efficient scorer.
In fact, Hobinger has already equalled her goals tally from her last full campaign, 2024/25 – very promising indeed considering there are still at least 27 games left to go in league and cup this term…
The 25-year-old is also back in the Austria squad for her country’s crucial 2027 World Cup qualifying play-offs against Kosovo later this month.
Having suffered such a huge blow this time last year, Hobinger has wasted no time in reminding everyone what a valuable player she is in an attacking midfielder capacity – and when it comes to taking a game by the scruff of the neck to get her team over the line.
