Emma Hayes, the Chelsea manager, has apologised for calling Liverpool’s Prenton Park a ‘stain on their football club’.

The Chelsea manager’s initial comments came after her side drew 1-1 with the hosts at Prenton Park on Sunday.

Following the match, Hayes said: "This pitch shouldn't be part of our league. Our league deserves better standards and I think Liverpool Football Club - champions of Europe - should provide their women's team with significantly more than they're doing.

"I think the quality of that pitch - the worst in the league - is a stain on their football club."

However, Hayes has since taken to Twitter to apologise for her comments and admit it was the frustration of playing on a difficult surface that drew the statement.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea struggled on the surface that was deemed playable nearly fifty minutes before kickoff following heavy rainfall. Liverpool's women's team has shared the pitch with League One side Tranmere Rovers since 2018.

The result saw Chelsea fall to third in the WSL whilst Liverpool were lifted out of last position heading into the Christmas break.

In a statement, Liverpool FC said they accepted Hayes' apology, "Liverpool Football Club welcomes the apology from Emma Hayes following her comments about the pitch following [Sunday's] Women’s Super League game between Liverpool FC Women and Chelsea FC Women.

“In Prenton Park, Liverpool Women have the use of a League One facility, further up the football pyramid than many other clubs in WSL. Indeed Chelsea’s men’s team used Prenton Park as a training facility ahead of their League Cup tie at Anfield as recently as last September.

“Despite dreadful weather conditions in the run-up to Sunday’s game – and heavy rain during play - the ground staff ensured a playable pitch and a highly competitive game was the result.

“The referee was happy with the playing surface following an inspection and both teams were keen for the game to go ahead, something which was not possible at two other abandoned fixtures in the WSL yesterday."

Liverpool manager, Vicky Jepson responded to Hayes' tweet thanking her for the support and  looking forward to matches in the New Year.