Two Liverpool Women players have slammed the club for allegedly retracting contract offers.
The Anfield club recently appointed Matt Beard, who guided them to back-to-back WSL titles in 2014, as their new manager following a lengthy search.
Beard’s return to Merseyside is expected to coincide with an overhaul of his playing squad as the Reds bid for a return to the top flight after two seasons.
But Kirsty Linnett and Becky Jane are set to become free agents this summer despite helping the club finish third in last season’s Women’s Championship.
On Friday, Linett shared a statement on social media outlining the lack of communication she received from Liverpool officials over her own future.
She said: “After three years at Liverpool my time has sadly come to an end.
“It would have been nice if someone from the club had the decency to tell me that they were retracting the contract offer they’d previously sent to my agent.
“I feel that after three years at the club the least I deserved was a face-to-face meeting the moment they knew they wanted to let me go, instead of calling my agent, telling him and then asking him to decide whether to tell me or the club call me!
“It’s also sad that the situation was only brought to light after my agent had emailed the GM to further the negotiations.
“Football is football but where does it stop? I’ve no hard feelings with being let go, it’s part of the game.
“What upsets me is the club support campaigns for mental health yet treat their own players with such little regard and respect.
“I’m not the only one who’s felt like this either.
“Let’s hope clubs can do better by their players during these difficult times and act with more care for the people involved, as manners and morals cost nothing.”
Quoting Linnett’s tweet, Jane added: “Unfortunately, similar to Kirsty, the club have retracted my contact offer in a similar way.
“As female footballers with zero security as it isl the least we deserve is to be treated better and with respect.
“It takes nothing to be kind. Thank you to my teammates.
Responding to the claims, a Liverpool spokesperson said: “Like all professional clubs, Liverpool Women are in the process of compiling their retained and released list for the forthcoming season.
“Several clubs have already announced their list and LFCW will release their own complete list in due course.
“With the players two weeks into their off-season holidays, the club has been informing all affected players of decisions as early as possible.
“With players contracted until the end of June this gives them the best possible chance of securing new clubs and making plans for next season.
“Players’ agents have also been informed as is standard practice.
“We of course thank all the players who will be moving on for their service to the club and wish them nothing but success in the future.”