Match reportLiverpool bow out of Women's FA Cup after Leicester defeat

Matt Beard’s side fell behind to a Jutta Rantala finish in the first half at Prenton Park and were the width of the post away from levelling through Marie Höbinger.

Despite their efforts, Rantala struck again for the away team just past the hour mark and her double proved enough to claim a place in the last four.

Liverpool made a sprightly start to the tie and fashioned a chance inside four minutes.

Missy Bo Kearns delivered a ball across the Leicester area that was collected by Emma Koivisto. The Finn tried to find Mia Enderby in the middle, but Courtney Nevin did just enough to prevent a shot on goal.

The visitors were in an assured mood too, though, and they grabbed an advantage with the game at its quarter-hour mark.

Janice Cayman bounded behind the Reds’ back line and her bobbling shot rebounded off the right post and fell kindly for Rantala, who sent it past the recovering Rachael Laws for 1-0.

After taking a few moments to shake off that setback, Liverpool rallied and threatened to equalise on several occasions before the break.

Enderby raced clear in the left channel and dragged a left-footer wide of the far post as the shooting angle became more difficult, before Kearns fired a good 22-yard drive too close to the goalkeeper.

The hosts’ best opportunity of the half came on 38 minutes as away ’keeper Lize Kop sent a pass straight to Höbinger just outside the area.

One-on-one, Höbinger opted for a chipped finish that beat Kop and seemed on course for the net, but flicked off the right post and away.

The flow of the contest continued into the second half, though genuine chances were limited during its early stages.

Liverpool threatened when Niamh Fahey whipped in a dangerous cross that fellow centre-back Jenna Clark attacked in the centre, only for Kop to punch away.

The Foxes doubled their lead in the 63rd minute, however.

They worked the ball well to Rantala positioned around 20 yards out and slightly right of goal. She opened up to shoot and saw her effort take a slight touch off Grace Fisk, loop over Laws and reach the net via the crossbar.

Beard introduced the firepower of Leanne Kiernan, Melissa Lawley and Shanice van de Sanden from the bench in search of a way back into the game.

The Reds kept pushing forward but found Leicester in stubborn and organised mood, meaning their FA Cup run is over for 2023-24.

TEAM

Laws, Koivisto (Parry, 81), Fisk, Fahey, Clark (Lawley, 67), Matthews, Lundgaard, Kearns, Höbinger, Enderby (Van de Sanden, 67), Roman H. (Kiernan, 57).

Unused subs: Micah, Bonner, Daniels.

NEXT UP

Liverpool return to Barclays Women’s Super League action next weekend when they host West Ham United at Prenton Park.

Kick-off on Sunday March 17 is 12pm GMT and you can buy tickets here.