Natasha Dowie heads to Liverpool FC on loan

Reading FC Women striker Natasha Dowie has made an emotional return to FA Women’s Super League side Liverpool.

The 34-year-old striker has seen her opportunities limited at Reading this season and will now spend the rest of the season on Merseyside with the reds.

Abu Dhabi-born Dowie twice won the FA WSL with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014, topping the goalscoring charts in 2013 and is an FA Cup winner with Everton, so to say her footballing roots are in the North West is a bit of an understatement.

Last season for Reading, Dowie formed a bit of a devastating forward trio with Deanne Rose and Emma Harries leading to hopes of an England Lionesses recall for the 14-cap forward, but injuries to her partners in crime appear, in part to have coincided with her limited game time at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Liverpool boss Matt Beard said: “If you look at her record, it’s consistently a goal every other game throughout her career. When the opportunity arose to bring her in – the fact she’s a Liverpool fan, as well – we felt it was a good move for us and a good move for her.”

Dowie added: “I’m over the moon to be back. This is my home, this is where I’ve got such great memories – the best memories really of my football career, winning the league here.”