Merseyside Is Red

Credit: @liverpoolfcw | Instagram

Liverpool fended off a late Everton comeback to pick up their first away win of the WSL season. Despite going down to ten players, a brace from Ceri Holland and an own goal from Martina Fernandez secured a second derby day win for Gareth Taylor's side over the Toffees. Scott Phelen’s side came into this match-up looking for revenge, as the Reds were victorious in this fixture only a month ago, dumping their Merseyside rivals out of the FA cup to progress into the quarter finals. The Reds came into this game in much better form with only one loss in their last five games, while the hosts had lost two of their last three.

First half summary:

The away side could not of asked for a better start, ten minutes into the game, Holland swung a corner in from the right-hand-side which landed onto the head of Jenna Clark, her header rattled the post, a second cross came into the penalty area, and the referee pointed to the spot as Inma Gabarro was judged to have handled the ball inside the area. Holland stepped up and calmly slotted the ball down the middle to give Liverpool the lead.

It was euphoria for Gareth Taylor’s side as they doubled their lead in quick fashion, a driving run from Cornelia Kapocs into the final third, the Sweden international laid it off to her left to the overlapping run of Alejandra Bernabe, her cross into the box was diverted into the back of the net by Fernandez leaving her own keeper with no chance of getting near the ball.

Five minutes before the break and it was a third for the Reds, some lovely interplay on the touchline between Holland and Olsson led to the Welsh international, breaking into some space on the left-hand-side. She drove inside towards the Everton box taking on Fernandez and placed it perfectly into the top left finishing off a wonderful solo goal.

Second half summary:

The home side had to respond in the second half and that they did, Aurora Galli took the freekick from just outside the box, a huge deflection off the Liverpool wall took it past Jennifer Falk in goal, giving Everton a lifeline with 30 minutes still to play.

It went from bad to worse for Gareth Taylor’s side as a couple minutes after conceding his team go down to ten, captain Fisk was shown her second yellow card of the game after a coming together with Zara Kramzar, the center back lashed out with a needless kick from behind, putting her side further at risk of losing their lead. 

The Toffees grabbed their second on the ninety minute mark, a floated ball into the area from Galli landed found Kramzar in the box, who had just struck the bar moments ago, the striker took it down well and struck it into the bottom corner to give the homeside hope with seven minutes of additional time remaining.

Despite the late surge, Liverpool picked up all three points which sees them move eight points clear of Leicester down at the bottom and pick up their first win on the road this season against their local rivals. 

What does this win do?

A massive win for Gareth Taylor’s side that once again showed the discipline that his side have gained over the last few months, picking up 13 points in the previous seven games has catapulted the Reds into tenth, leaving them only four points of Brighton in sixth. 

Liverpool have now only lost twice in their last ten games and are on a four game unbeaten run. Form that will most definitely make them the favourites for their huge quarter final game next Sunday away at Charlton, who are currently top of the Super League 2. A great chance for the Reds to advance into the final four of the FA Cup.