Match reportLiverpool FC Women suffer defeat at Anfield in WSL Merseyside derby

It brought an end to the Reds' unbeaten start to the Barclays Women's Super League season, with the encounter played in front of more than 23,000 spectators.

Megan Finnigan's headed goal from a corner in the 31st minute was enough to see the Blues depart with three points.

Backed by a full Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, the hosts flew out of the blocks and had the ball in the net inside four minutes.

A well-worked move ended with Missy Bo Kearns poking home from Taylor Hinds' cross on the left and wheeling away to celebrate, only for the assistant to then raise the flag for offside.

A couple of minutes later, Ceri Holland pinched possession in the Everton third and unleashed a rising shot that crashed into the crossbar and bounced clear.

Everton then crafted an opening midway through the first half but Emma Bissell was unable to direct a cutback from Nicoline Sorensen towards goal.

They converted their next opportunity, however. After Gemma Bonner had deflected a Sorensen hit behind for a corner, the resulting inswinging delivery was sent to the back post, where Finnigan was positioned to nod beyond Rachael Laws.

PHOTOS

By John and Andrew Powell

As Liverpool sought to draw level prior to the break, Holland and Bonner had efforts blocked in the aftermath of a corner, before a Marie Höbinger drive from the edge of the box was straight at Courtney Brosnan.

The visitors nearly doubled their lead shortly after half-time, Justine Vanhaevermaet heading just wide after a corner was kept alive. Kearns responded for the Reds by dragging a shot off target.

Matt Beard opted to make four changes on the hour mark and one of the substitutes, Mia Enderby, quickly had a penalty appeal turned down and strike at goal.

The game remained alive after Laws palmed away a goalbound effort from Katja Snoeijs, who then struck the crossbar shortly after.

Second-half arrivals Natasha Flint and Sofie Lundgaard were unable to hit the target with chances late on, and Grace Fisk glanced a header wide in the Reds' final chance to rescue a point.

Attendance: 23,088

TEAM

LFC Women: Laws, Koivisto (Enderby, 61), Clark, Fisk, Bonner (Matthews, 61), Hinds, Nagano, Holland, Höbinger (Lundgaard, 81), Kearns (Lawley, 61), Roman Haug (Flint, 61).

Unused subs: Micah, Parry, Taylor, Daniels.

NEXT UP

The Reds are in action next Sunday when they head to West Ham United Women in the WSL.

The clash at Chigwell Construction Stadium kicks off at 3pm BST.