Match reportLFC Women score six in first pre-season fixture

In a match played across three 30-minute periods on Sunday afternoon, Matt Beard’s side won each of the first two spells by a single goal before stretching away with four goals in the final half-hour.

The Reds took the lead on five minutes as summer signing Shanice van de Sanden crossed for last season’s top scorer Leanne Kiernan to fire home.

Another summer arrival, goalkeeper Eartha Cumings, almost turned provider on 20 minutes, her fine pass headed on by Van de Sanden to send Melissa Lawley away on goal. The winger elected to look for an unselfish pass when a shot looked on, though, and the chance was lost.

Missy Bo Kearns and Katie Stengel arrived for the start of the second period and the Reds almost increased their advantage instantly.

Leighanne Robe’s forward pass was beautifully laid into the path of Van de Sanden by Stengel and the Dutch forward squared perfectly for Lawley, whose shot was well saved by the Forest goalkeeper.

Van de Sanden was again involved as she released Rhiannon Roberts down the right and the Wales international’s cross found Stengel but her first-time effort went wide.

The second goal arrived on 50 minutes, however, with Lawley’s pass setting up Stengel and the striker finishing precisely off the post.

It was during the final period of the contest when the Reds made their dominance count as they scored four times.

Roberts got the ball rolling by pouncing on a loose ball to power home after a fine free-kick delivery from Kearns.

Lucy Parry then released new signing Emma Koivisto down the right and her pull-back eventually fell to Yana Daniels, who lashed home a shot from the edge of the area to make it four.

The final two goals came courtesy of Rachel Furness, freshly returned from her adventures at Women’s Euro 2022 with Northern Ireland.

First the vice-captain headed powerfully home from a perfect corner from Kearns on 82 minutes and then in injury time she repeated the trick from the other side, this time from a fine Megan Campbell delivery.

The Reds will return to action next Sunday at 2pm BST at Prenton Park against Blackburn Rovers, with tickets on sale now at liverpoolfc.com/women-tickets.