“From a little girl with a dream...to a Liverpool Legend”

Gemma Bonner has played her last game in Liverpool red. Here’s what the Merseysiders will be missing…

Liverpool have confirmed that club legend Gemma Bonner is set to leave the club following the expiration of her contract.

The defender has had two stints with the Merseyside club. Her first came between 2013-2018, where she made 115 appearances. During that first spell, she became club captain, leading the club to two back-to-back BWSL titles in 2013 and 2014.

Bonner returned to the club in January 2023, following her departure from Racing Louisville in the NWSL. Her return to the Reds was widely celebrated by fans and players alike. Upon her return to the club, she stated: "Growing up as a Liverpool fan it probably means that little bit more. Seeing my shirt with the name on the back again was almost a little emotional.”

Since rejoining the club, she has made 72 appearances, taking her total appearances for the reds up to 187 in total. During this season, she has made ten appearances, played 621 minutes and assisted twice, including once on the final day in a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield. In those ten games, she has started seven, making 72 defensive contributions across the season.

During her second spell, she scored five goals across three years. Two of those came in a thrilling and unforgettable 4-3 win against Chelsea in May 2024 at Prenton Park.

Upon speaking to the Liverpool media, she tried to sum up her Liverpool career: “It's probably hard to say, but I think right now it's overwhelming, just all the love and support that's been given. I think what I feel from the club, it just sums up in terms of how special the people are and the city. It's what I felt from day one, and I think that just sums it up. I can't thank everyone enough.”

Having made 187 appearances, this makes her the highest appearance holder in the club's history, overtaking Ash Hodson, who previously held the record with 134 appearances.

Red’s boss Gareth Taylor describes her as a “fantastic servant to Liverpool Football Club”, adding, “She has something to be really proud of, particularly the number of appearances she made across the two spells she’s had at the club.

“She goes with our well-wishes, and we’ll always have a place for her here – and certainly a place in our hearts for her as well because she has done so much for this football club”.

Word credit: Erin-Beau Carroll