Match reportLFC Women beaten by Arsenal in WSL action

The Reds started the encounter on the front foot, looking to unsettle their opponents, though it was the visitors who threatened the first blow as Beth Mead had a volley blocked.

Emma Stina Blackstenius saw a cross a short while later almost find the run of Caitlin Foord inside the box, but it was a set-piece that resulted in the Gunners opening the scoring.

A corner fell to Lia Walti following a headed clearance and her drilled effort found the back of the net with goalkeeper Rachael Laws left unsighted.

Liverpool attempted to respond but it was Arsenal again who added to their tally six minutes later thanks to a clever run from Frida Maanum ending with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Foord then hit the woodwork in search of a third in what was a difficult spell of pressure for Matt Beard’s outfit.

The Reds were almost handed a route back into the game ahead of the half-time interval, Taylor Hinds seeing her cross nearly turned into the net by retreating defender Steph Catley.

Liverpool began the second period with renewed intent, and Emma Koivisto forced Manuela Zinsberger into a point-blank save in the early exchanges.

Claims for a penalty were also turned away in the build-up by referee Anthony Blackhouse after the ball appeared to strike an arm.

Katie Stengel saw a shot on the turn fall wide of the post a short while later and made her presence felt aerially in an attempt to unsettle proceedings.

As the game opened in the final 20 minutes, Laws produced a stunning save to deny Foord and Arsenal a third goal thanks to a strong right hand from the onrushing shot-stopper.

Captain Niamh Fahey also watched on as two good opportunities fell the wrong side of the post, first guiding a header wide before a low shot followed suit from the edge of the box.

The defender again saw a half-volley saved from distance in the closing stages of the contest, though it was as close as Liverpool would come to getting on the scoresheet.

LFC Women: Laws, Koivisto, Flaherty, Fahey, Matthews, Campbell (Roberts, 90+1), Hinds (Robe, 90+1), Holland, Daniels (Kearns, 71), Lawley (Furness, 83), Stengel.

Unused subs: Cumings, Kirby, Wardlaw, Humphrey, Silcock.

Attendance: 3,348