Liverpool Women have added a familiar face to their roster, signing goalkeeper Khiara Keating on a free transfer after her contract at Manchester City expired. The 22-year-old isn’t just joining a new club — she’s reuniting with head coach Gareth Taylor, the same guy who gave her a real shot at City.
Keating made her senior debut for City in January 2022 during a League Cup match against Leicester City. But it wasn’t until the 2023/24 season that she locked down the starting job. That year she became Taylor’s first-choice keeper, making 65 total appearances across all competitions during her time at the club. For a player who came through City’s youth system, that’s a solid run.
Now she’s swapping one blue kit for another, but the stakes are different. Liverpool’s Women’s team is still trying to establish itself as a consistent contender in the WSL. Keating sees that as part of the appeal.
“I think everyone knows Liverpool worldwide. It’s such a big club and I think the women’s team is striving for greatness,” Keating said after the move was announced. “I think the style of football that they play, they actually try to play — which suits me and my position. I think they’re just going in the right direction and it is a project that I want to be part of.”
She also has one senior cap for England, which gives Liverpool a keeper with international experience even if it’s early in her national team career. Not bad for a 22-year-old looking to grow into a bigger role.
What this means for Liverpool
Keating is the fourth signing of the summer window for Liverpool, and the move suggests Taylor is building a squad with a specific identity. He knows exactly what he’s getting in Keating — a shot-stopper comfortable playing out from the back, which fits the possession-oriented style Liverpool have been trying to implement.
For City, losing a homegrown keeper who broke into the first team might sting a little, but they’ve got depth in that position. Keating was reportedly not offered a new deal, which opened the door for Liverpool to swoop in without a transfer fee.
It’s a low-risk pickup for the Reds with potential for a high reward if Keating hits the form she showed during that breakout season. And for a team still chasing the top of the table, every smart move counts.
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