Liverpool FC Women v Reading: Live match blog
The story of the game from Prenton Park as Liverpool FC Women begin their 2019-20 league season with a 1-0 defeat against Reading.
Full Time
Liverpool 0-1 Reading
A frustrating start to the new Women's Super League season for the Reds, who are beaten by Williams' fantastic free-kick in the first half.
Three minutes added on at Prenton Park.
Substitution
A late switch by Jepson as Linnett is sent on for Rodgers with the Reds searching for a leveller.
Save
There's another impressive stop from Preuss, tipping over a dipping shot from distance, to ensure Reading don't double their advantage.
Chance
More good work by Babajide, who uses her pace to get into the area and cuts back inside to shoot across goal - but the strike goes wide of the left post. Unlucky.
Substitution
Another Liverpool change - Hodson comes on for Sweetman-Kirk.
Save!
Preuss keeps Liverpool's hopes alive with an excellent reaction save from a dangerous Reading volley.
Another great run by Charles, who carries the ball all the way down the left wing and sends in an inviting cross, but there is nobody there to take advantage for the Reds.
Match shot
20 minutes left to play.
Babajide has made a real impact already and her latest foray down the right flank concludes with a firm near-post cross that the Reading goalkeeper carefully handles.
Substitution
A change up front by Jepson as Babajide replaces Clarke in attack for Liverpool.
The Reds have had the better of the second half so far and they're pressing well for the equaliser; Charles drives in a brilliant cross from the left that eludes her teammates, then Jane tries her luck from the other side with a decent hit.
At the other end, Chaplen spins into a shooting position at the edge of the box, though sends her effort off target.
Chance
Sweetman-Kirk gets into big space in behind the Reading defence and bears down on goal but a heavy touch allows Moloney to sweep up the ball.
Kick-Off
Second half under way
Sweetman-Kirk kicks off for the Reds.
Liverpool are back out on the pitch ahead of the second half and they'll be determined to turn this scoreline around in the remaining 45 minutes.
Half Time
Liverpool 0-1 Reading
The visitors lead at the end of the first half through Williams' unstoppable free-kick shortly before the interval.
Goal for Reading - Williams
Former Reds midfielder Williams breaks the deadlock at Prenton Park with a sensational free-kick, whipped from right to left and into the top corner from around 25 yards.
Liverpool 0-1 Reading
Liverpool's Bailey sends an ambitious drive over the crossbar as we head into the final five minutes of the first half.
Match shot
Nothing to separate the sides so far in the season opener.
Block!
Reading are denied what seemed likely to be a certain goal as the ball bounces fortuitously to Harding in the area - only for Robe to time a sliding block perfectly and crucially.
Reading are enjoying a good spell at the moment and Chaplen's movement is presenting a challenge, two quickfire shots blocked by Bradley-Auckland and then Jane there.
Harding makes ground along the right-hand side for Reading with an incisive run but her eventual cross-shot from a narrow angle is collected comfortably by Preuss.
The visitors work the ball to Chaplen around 20 yards from goal and her attempt is too high to concern Preuss.
The Reds
Yellow Card
Robe is booked for a strong tackle on Farrow.
Chance!
Nice play from the Reds sees Sweetman-Kirk feed Clarke on the right edge of the box and her delivery into the area finds the run of Lawley, whose header is close enough to the goalkeeper for a save. Unlucky.
Liverpool have a free-kick in a promising position in the right channel and Lawley floats a decent diagonal cross to the back post, but no teammate can connect properly.
Chance
Almost the worst possible start for the Reds as Reading surge forward straight from the kick-off - but Preuss reacts superbly to push away a fierce drive across goal. Vital stop.
Kick-Off
Reading get us under way at Prenton Park.
Come on, Liverpool!
You'll Never Walk Alone is playing and the two teams are out on the turf. We're just about ready to go.
Warm-up: done
AXA - LFC principal partner and official training kit partner
Almost time
We're now just 10 minutes away from kick-off at Prenton Park - stick with us for match updates and photos from LFC Women's first game of the new season.
Ready to go
Here's the Reds arriving at Prenton Park a short while ago...
The skipper
TEAM NEWS
Vicky Jepson's starting XI and substitutes are confirmed...
Bezzies is back
And it's an LFC Women special to mark the start of the 2019-20 season.
Leighanne Robe and Kirsty Linnett featured in the latest edition of our regular friendship test - and you can see how they got on below...
Matchweek one
Here's an overview of yesterday's WSL results and today's fixtures - plus a very early look at the league table...
Saturday
Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United
Bristol City 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Sunday
12.30pm - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
2pm - Liverpool v Reading
2pm - Birmingham City v Everton
2.30pm - Arsenal v West Ham United
Vicky's view
"We know Reading FC Women is a tough start to the season," said LFC Women boss Jepson in her Liverpoolfc.com column.
"They are a very good side and we had some close games against them last season, drawing twice away from home.
"They have really strong individual players and a great backroom staff, so we know we can't just expect to turn up and take three points. We have got to be at 110 per cent to compete with a team like Reading and we are looking forward to that challenge."
Click here to read more from Jepson.
Here we go
Liverpool FC Women get their league campaign up and running today as they host Reading at Prenton Park in a 2pm BST kick-off.
It's a much-anticipated season ahead and we'll be bringing you live updates this afternoon as Vicky Jepson's side aim to start it with three points.
