Former England and Liverpool striker Dowie retires

Natasha Dowie scored 47 goals for Liverpool across two spells

Former England striker Natasha Dowie says it was "meant to be" that she ended her career at Liverpool after announcing her retirement.

She returned to Merseyside on loan in January and ends a career which has spanned almost two decades as Liverpool's record WSL scorer.

"I never imagined I'd get to put a Liverpool shirt on again," said Dowie.

She told BBC Sport: "To help them get safety last season, to hear the fans singing my song again, to be inducted into the Fans' Hall of Fame and to have friends and family coming to watch me play and score for Liverpool again… It was a special feeling.

"Nobody can take those moments away from me. I'm really proud. It felt good to go out having finished at the club I love."

More to follow.