Liverpool Through To The Last 8

Credit: @liverpoolfcw | Instagram

Two first half goals from Mia Enderby and Beata Olsson proved decisive as Liverpool dispatched Merseyside rivals Everton to secure a place in the FA Cup quarter-final draw. Both sides arrived brimming with confidence, with the Reds were unbeaten in their last three home matches, while the visitors were riding a three-game winning streak, two of those victories coming under new interim manager Scott Phelan. With form, momentum, and local pride on the line, the stage was set for a fiercely contested derby as both teams looked to seize Merseyside bragging rights.

First half summary:

The game started at a very slow tempo, with neither side creating many opportunities as The Reds dominated the ball.  Liverpool set up in this game to play out the back and through the middle lines, but they were getting no joy in the opening 30 minutes. 

In the 34th minute, the breakthrough was made, aperfectly lofted ball into the back post from Ceri Holland found Mia Enderby, who managed to bundle the ball past the keeper.  Celebrations were short-lived for the Enderby, as a collision scoring the goal with goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan forced her off the pitch. 

Liverpool doubled their advantage eleven minutes later, a freekick on the left side from Holland seemed to have struck the hand of substitute Olsson before she poked it into the bottom corner for her ninth goal of the season. The referee did not see the incident and due to there being no VAR in the 5th round, the goal stood leaving the Everton players furious with the decision, and the half ending with Liverpool leading 2-0.

Second half summary:

Gareth Taylor’s side had plenty of chances to kill the game, but it was Everton who got the next goal in the second half. 

The Toffee's substitutes combined, it was Aurora Galli’s shot from the edge of the box that hit the post and struck the back of Jennifer Falk for an own goal that gave the visitors a route into the game.  Despite the lifeline, the away side could not find the equaliser and fell short in a 2-1 victory to the Reds.

What does this win do?

It was a huge victory for Liverpool, knocking out fierce rivals Everton and handing Scott Phelan his first defeat as interim manager. The result will inject real belief into the Reds, reinforcing their confidence that they can overcome whoever they are drawn against in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Liverpool must now wait three weeks for their next outing, when they return to action at home against Leicester City, who currently sit bottom of the table with a game in hand.