Match reportLFC Women move to fourth in WSL after goalless Merseyside derby

Matt Beard’s side, looking for revenge following their defeat at Anfield in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, shaded possession but were unable to find a way past a stubborn Blues defence in a game of few chances.

It was Everton who came closest to edging the contest, with Hanna Bennison thumping a shot against the crossbar in the second half.

The result, however, moves the Reds up to fourth in the WSL table, a point above Manchester United.

Liverpool started brightly, with Missy Bo Kearns having an effort blocked inside the opening two minutes, but clear-cut chances were at a premium in the opening exchanges, with a pair of injuries to Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, and one to Reds midfielder Ceri Holland, breaking up the early rhythm of the game.

Leanne Kiernan sent a speculative effort wide from distance and Sophie Roman Haug sent a header straight at Brosnan from Jenna Clark’s cross, before Brosnan was able to gather another attempt from the Liverpool striker, having initially been caught out of position.

Everton had created relatively little but had a decent chance six minutes before half-time as Grace Fisk gave away possession in midfield and was relieved when Emma Bissell shanked her shot wide from a good position on her left foot.

Liverpool threatened as the half came to a close too, and it took a brave block from Justine Vanhaevermaet to deny Jasmine Matthews, after Roman Haug had miskicked from Lucy Parry’s cross.

PHOTOS

By Nick Taylor

The second half was similarly tight, with much of the game played in the midfield. Both Roman Haug and Kearns might have made more of decent crossing positions after Liverpool won the ball back in the Everton half, but both found only the gloves of Brosnan.

Beard introduced both Mia Enderby and Marie Höbinger just before the hour mark, with Kiernan and Kearns making way.

The Reds then lost Matthews to injury, with Yana Daniels sent on in her place, as the encounter remained scrappy and devoid of clear goalscoring opportunities.

Roman Haug, persistent as ever, was unable to turn in Höbinger’s deep cross at the back post, but it was Everton who came closest to opening the deadlock 20 minutes from the end, when Bennison fired a 20-yard strike which came back off the woodwork, with Rachael Laws beaten in the Liverpool goal as the Reds scrambled the loose ball to safety.

Melissa Lawley was brought on for the final 15 minutes as Liverpool looked to snatch a winning goal, but it needed two telling interventions from Clark to keep Everton at bay at the other end.

Laws, who had enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon to that point, showed excellent concentration and reflexes to push away Vanhaevermaet’s fierce strike with 11 minutes remaining.

Everton substitute Karen Holmgaard headed off target as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, before Roman Haug made a mess of a half-chance having brought down Clark’s clipped ball.

With seven minutes of stoppage time confirmed by the fourth official, Holland created Liverpool’s best opening of the entire game, seizing upon a loose ball in midfield and driving into the penalty area before seeing her shot squeezed behind by a combination of Brosnan and Megan Finnigan, as the game finished scoreless.

TEAM

Liverpool: Laws, Parry (Lawley, 75), Fisk, Fahey, Clark, Matthews (Daniels, 64), Nagano, Holland, Kearns (Höbinger, 59), Kiernan (Enderby, 59), Roman H.

Unused substitutes: Micah, Van de Sanden, Bonner.

NEXT UP

Liverpool host title-chasing Manchester City at Prenton Park next Saturday.

Kick-off for the clash is 12.30pm GMT and tickets can be purchased here.