The 2013 and 2014 WSL 1 Champions, Liverpool Ladies have had a disappointing 2015, which resulted in them finishing second from bottom in the table when the season concluded on Sunday.
The Reds' title defence was a lacklustre one, with winners Chelsea finishing with 19 more points, and, although they weren't in any serious relegation trouble due to Bristol Academy's even poorer season, they will be looking to change plenty in the off-season.
Transitional period
However, one cannot criticise Liverpool heavily, as they are certainly going through a transitional phase at the moment, following a lot of recruitment prior to the start of this season.
They were massive underdogs when they won both of their titles in the last two seasons, despite being reigning champions for the second, and so it was always going to be a challenge to come into a season with even more expectation, especially when they needed to rely on players to settle in order to hit these heights once more.
Signing the likes of Satara Murray, Ingrid Ryland, Line Smørsgârd and Asisat Oshoala, as well as Rosie White during the summer, means they have bolstered the squad, and these players have at least half a season under their belts now, which puts them in good stead for 2016.
Yet, they have needed this 2015 season to gel properly and find their feet in England, and with plenty of changes, the season was going to be a difficult one to perform in.
The youth of their new signings is promising too - Murray is 22, as is White, and Oshoala 20 - and gives them some longevity in a squad that has the potential to produce some top, top talent.
The departure of manager Matt Beard, which is to come at the end of this month, means they could face a similar 2016, with a new manager likely to want to put his mark on the team.
It could be another year that needs patience from the fans, but, then again, if this year's recruits really show what they are made of next season, then they could help move things along a lot quicker.
Injuries have been a big problem
Another reason for Liverpool's disappointing season has been due to their bad luck with injuries.
One may argue that this shows a lack of depth in the squad, but the players that have been sidelined for the final stages of the season are almost irreplaceable.
Fara Williams is one of these, the mainstay in midfield being absent for a number of months since returning from her World Cup exploits, whilst Oshoala and Murray have also spent lengthy periods of time in the treatment room.
As a result, the Reds won just one of their final six league games, with these consistent and crucial figures unable to help the team pick themselves up and improve.
The fact that the trio is made up of a defender, midfielder and striker makes things even more difficult as the team have been affected massively in all areas of the park.
With Liverpool's Champions League campaign to get underway tonight and a WSL Cup semi-final on Sunday, they will hope for these players to return as soon as possible to help guide them to a strong end to a tough season.
Promising attacking signs
Whilst the Reds managed just 15 goals in 14 league games this season, they started to find form in front of goal towards the end of the season, particularly in the cup.
Oshoala bagged three in nine league appearances in her debut season in England, whilst White got two in nine, despite only joining midway through the campaign.
Natasha Dowie struggled to open her account this year, but when she managed to do so with a brace in the 2-0 win over Everton in the cup in July, she couldn't stop. The England international has hit the back of the net 11 times in her 12 games since - that includes a four goal showing away at Bristol in the cup last month.
If she can carry this form into the cup competitions that remain this year, and then into the new year, then she should be in for another stellar campaign in 2016.
Defensive fragility made things difficult
Something that cancelled out some great attacking performances this season, however, was Liverpool's inability to defend effectively.
When they won the title in 2013, it was down to their free-scoring, bagging a whopping 46 goals in just 14 games. However, last year's success was a bigger defensive effort, with just the 19 goals scored, but only 10 conceded.
This season, they leaked 24 goals, all of which cost them dearly. Whether they conceded early on to create an uphill task for themselves or late on to drop points, you could guarantee that the team would concede, with just one clean sheet kept in the league all season.
There are several reasons why this has been a problem for the team this year. One contributing factor is the loss of a key player in Lucy Bronze. The England defender joined Manchester City ahead of the 2015 campaign and the Reds have failed to replace her since.
The centre of defence is strong, consisting of captain Gemma Bonner and, when not injured, Murray, but the full-back spots have been a weakness, partly due to Bronze's departure.
Still, another reason why these positions have not been as strong is because of the constant tinkering in personnel and formation.
The back four, or three or five, rarely remained the same throughout the year, with players moving in and out a lot, disrupting the all-important chemistry required in defence.
Again, the changes in formation didn't help either, with the defence a back four one week, a back three the next and a back five the week after. There was a lack of continuity and consistency for the players, partly due to injuries but also partly to do with the manager's general decisions.
Beard did a lot of good during his three year spell with Liverpool, but this, this season, was not one of them.
The new manager, whoever that may be, must look at this and recognise that he needs to ensure he doesn't do the same, which may mean recruiting some more defenders so he knows he has the options necessary to at least be consistent in formation, even if injuries play an unwanted role again.
Transfer business required
This leads on nicely to what the club need to do during the off-season and the transfer window.
Another contributing factor to the leaky defence was the lack of proper competition in between the sticks for Libby Stout, and this can be rectified during the window.
The American was outstanding in 2014, but dropped her levels this season, perhaps not pushed enough due to a lack of competitors for her spot.
With Danielle Gibbons returning to proper training after having surgery to remove a brain tumour this summer, she could yet challenge her teammate like she did last season.
It is up to the new manager to decide if they believe this duo can keep the quality in goal high, but, if not, then another stopper will be required.
Midfield is another area that needs beefing up, and another that has been constantly changing in personnel this year.
The team lacked someone who could step up in Williams' absence this season, and need to recruit another big talent in the middle of the park as they cannot afford to just rely on the 31-year-old.
They have six midfielders in the team, but one of those, Lucy Staniforth, is a player who has just this year returned from an ACL injury, whilst Katrín Ómarsdóttir is largely a fringe player and both Katie Zelem, 19, and Ashley Hodson, 20, are too young to have the weight rested on their shoulders instead.
All have contributed well this year, and have really given their all in an attempt to fill the gap left by Williams, but none stamp the same authority on the team or are able to dictate play like the England international.
Thus, there is a definite need for at least one more top class midfielder during the winter, someone who can give the team some more steel and another option in this area of the park.
Plenty to look forward to
Whilst 2015 may have been a year that disappointed for Liverpool, there is plenty for the team to get excited about still, and that's before the year is up too.
The Reds could reach the last 16 of the Champions League for the second successive season, with the first leg of their round of 32 tie against Brescia to take place tonight in Italy.
The attraction of this competition can help them recruit during the off-season, but it also gives them a big boost in confidence as they prepare for 2016, as well as some invaluable experience as their young squad continues to develop.
In the WSL Cup, Liverpool face Notts County on Sunday for a place in the final, with silverware still a big possibility despite the underwhelming nature of their campaign.
There is still a chance for Beard to go out on a high, as a result, and there is also a lot of excitement about the potential of a new manager and a new reign at the club.
Beard has had a tremendous three years, winning two league titles, but new guidance can help Liverpool start from fresh and re-establish themselves at the top of the division, where they belong.
There is so much for the Reds to look forward to in the next few weeks and, having seen the likes of White and Oshoala settle marvellously too, next season.