Liverpool are bracing themselves for a significant summer blow as Denise O'Sullivan, the club's record signing, looks set to leave Merseyside just six months after arriving. The noises out of Anfield suggest the departure of the Republic of Ireland midfielder is all but inevitable, with a return to the United States the most likely destination.

Gotham FC lead the race

Gotham FC are understood to be frontrunners to secure O'Sullivan's signature, with reports indicating the move could be structured as an initial one-year loan deal carrying an obligation-to-buy clause. Liverpool are said to be in positive discussions with both O'Sullivan's camp and the New Jersey-based NWSL club, and sources close to the situation have told BBC Sport that the Reds expect to receive a substantial fee — some consolation, at least, for losing a player who has been one of their standout performers since January.

A brief but impressive chapter at Liverpool

O'Sullivan joined Liverpool in January for £300,000, a fee that made her the club's record purchase in the women's game. In a relatively short spell on Merseyside she has made 13 appearances — nine of those in the WSL — and played a meaningful role as Gareth Taylor's side reached the Women's FA Cup semi-finals. By any measure, her contribution has been well above par for a mid-season arrival.

The 32-year-old brings serious pedigree to wherever she plays. She spent nine seasons with North Carolina Courage in the NWSL, captaining the side and making more than 150 appearances, and has earned 132 caps for the Republic of Ireland. This year she played a key role in Ireland's Women's World Cup qualifying campaign, underlining that she remains very much at the sharp end of the international game.

A personal decision to return stateside

Liverpool will be disappointed, and understandably so. The club are in the middle of rebuilding after a difficult 2025-26 campaign, and O'Sullivan's departure is described as a personal choice rather than any dissatisfaction with the project at Anfield. Having spent the best part of a decade in the United States, she is keen to return, and that preference is understood to be the driving force behind the move.

The timing compounds an already challenging summer for Liverpool. The club have made three signings during the transfer window, but they have also been unable to convert goalkeeper Jennifer Falk's loan arrangement into a permanent deal — leaving the squad with gaps that will need filling before the new season kicks off.

What comes next for Liverpool?

The market will be watching closely to see how Liverpool respond. Losing a player of O'Sullivan's quality and experience, barely half a year after breaking the bank to sign her, is a setback that demands a swift and effective answer in the window. Club sources suggest they intend to remain active in the market, though replacing someone who has made an immediate impact is rarely as straightforward as it sounds.

For O'Sullivan herself, a move to Gotham FC would represent a homecoming of sorts — a chance to re-establish herself in a league she knows intimately, at a club that has emerged as one of the NWSL's genuine forces. On her recent form, she is very much a done deal worth having.

Frequently asked

Why is Denise O'Sullivan leaving Liverpool so soon after joining?
O'Sullivan's decision to leave is understood to be a personal one. She is keen to return to the United States, where she spent nine years playing for North Carolina Courage in the NWSL, rather than any dissatisfaction with Liverpool as a club.
Which club is signing Denise O'Sullivan?
Gotham FC are currently the favourites to sign O'Sullivan. Reports suggest the deal could be structured as an initial one-year loan with an obligation-to-buy clause attached.
How much did Liverpool pay for Denise O'Sullivan?
Liverpool signed O'Sullivan in January for £300,000, which made her the club's record signing in the women's game at the time of her arrival.