Liverpool sign Everton's Fara Williams and Natasha Dowie

Liverpool Ladies have signed England midfielder Fara Williams and striker Natasha Dowie from local FA WSL rivals Everton Ladies.

Williams, 28, has 107 caps and 36 goals for her country, and netted 10 times for the Blues last season.

The former Toffees captain, regarded as one of the most gifted players the England set-up has ever produced, moves after eight years at the club.

Former Charlton striker Dowie, 24, spent five years with Everton.

Williams has been a key player for Hope Powell's Three Lions for more than a decade and was named FA Young Player of the Year in 2002, FA International Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2009, and FA Players' Player of the Year in 2009.

Dowie has represented England at all levels from Under-17 to the senior side

The former England skipper earned her 100th cap in the Cyprus Cup against Switzerland in March 2012, scoring the only goal of the game.

Dowie, niece of former West Ham and Northern Ireland striker Iain, suffered from injuries last season. But two of her goals for the club came in the 2010 FA Cup final victory over Arsenal.

The former Watford and Fulham forward made her England debut in a World Cup qualifier against Turkey in November 2009 and has three caps.

Liverpool hope to challenge the all-conquering Arsenal for honours next season.

For the second year in a row, the Reds finished bottom of the table this term with only five points from their 14 games. They also suffered early exits from the FA and Continental cups.

Former Chelsea boss Matt Beard was appointed as manager in August after the club parted ways with Robbie Johnson.

In addition to Williams and Dowie, Liverpool have also signed United States international defender Whitney Engen and England youth international centre-back Gemma Bonner from Chelsea.

With 10 players released at the end of the season, more new faces are expected before the new FA WSL campaign kicks off in April 2013.