Match reportLFC Women knocked out of FA Cup by Arsenal

The Reds were on the front foot during the opening phases of the first half at Prenton Park but the fifth-round tie turned irrevocably as a result of three pieces of quality from the visitors.

Caitlin Foord put them in front from close range and Katie McCabe then thumped a remarkable volley past Rachael Laws to double the lead.

And Foord came close to matching that with a stunning effort of her own moments later, meeting a bouncing ball with a looping volley from around 20 yards out.

Kim Little added a fourth for Arsenal in the second half to secure a result that did not fully reflect the afternoon’s play as Liverpool bowed out of the competition.

Matt Beard’s team had made an assured start against their Women’s Super League opponents, with their high pressing forcing errors and opportunities.

On eight minutes, for example, Katie Stengel turned over possession in the Arsenal half and threaded a pass in behind for Leanne Kiernan, who was stopped by Rafaelle Souza before she could strike.

It was the away side who netted instead midway through the half. Souza showed calm footwork to bring the ball out and slide it through the channel to Foord, who patiently waited to pick her spot and sent a left-footed finish through the grasp of Laws.

Kiernan threatened an immediate riposte when she tackled Steph Catley high up the pitch and bore down on goal, though the Reds forward swiped her effort too far across the goalkeeper and wide of the post.

Laws made an excellent save on the half-hour, clawing out Little’s header from inside the six-yard box – and Niamh Fahey cleared the rebound – but was helpless to prevent Arsenal’s subsequent goals in minutes 31 and 33.

When Liverpool cleared a corner outside their area, McCabe met the dropping ball with a screeching, first-time volley that soared into the net despite a touch by Laws.

And Foord swiftly added a third for the visitors as she moved onto McCabe’s flick forward, let the ball bounce up and lashed a looping finish into the left side of the Reds goal from the edge of the box.

Liverpool continued to search for a way back into a contest that was more stop-start upon resuming after the interval, and Beard soon introduced both Megan Campbell and Rachel Furness from the bench.

Stengel had the hosts’ best chance of a goal in the second half on 65 minutes as Missy Bo Kearns spread play out to the right flank, from where Yana Daniels sent a lofted cross back into the box. Stengel met the ball first but could only glance her header wide.

And Arsenal struck again soon after. Foord poked a pass in behind for Little and she tucked a low finish around Laws despite strong appeals for offside by the Reds ’keeper.

Beard’s charges were unable to find a consolation goal in the time that remained at Prenton Park, with Daniels firing just over from distance late on, and their focus will now revert to the ongoing quest for promotion from the FA Women’s Championship.

LFC Women: Laws, Roberts (Wardlaw, 69), Robe (Campbell, 62), Fahey, Hinds, Holland (Furness, 62), Kearns (Humphrey, 72), Lawley, Daniels, Kiernan, Stengel.

Unused substitutes: Clarke, Bailey, Hodson, Silcock, Parry.