Match reportLiverpool lose out at home to Chelsea in WSL

A quickfire double in minutes 37 and 42 gave the away side a cushion at the half-time interval, with Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten on the scoresheet.

Matt Beard’s Reds pushed for a way back into the encounter but could not break through a Blues team who made certain of extending a 100 per cent record in the WSL when Aggie Beever-Jones netted with 90 on the clock.

Remembrance Sunday commemorations were observed before kick-off at St Helens Stadium, where 4,514 were in attendance.

Liverpool made a bright start and went close to scoring within two minutes.

The visitors could only half-clear a corner kick to Taylor Hinds just inside the area and she connected well with a drive back towards goal that was deflected just wide of the left post.

Immediately at the other end, Jenna Clark and Gemma Evans in tandem blocked out Ramirez as she tried to attack space in behind.

Rachael Laws palmed away a first-time effort from Maika Hamano before Clark produced a crucial block at close range to thwart Ramirez, still before the 10-minute mark.

Next, a flowing Blues move centred around Johanna Rytting Kaneryd saw the ball come to Sandy Baltimore to the left of goal. Her blast was safely punched out by Laws.

WSL champions in each of the previous five years, Chelsea were by now trying to assert control, though the Reds’ speed on the counter-attack ensured a consistent outlet for the home team.

The best chances were coming for the away team, though, and Laws had to make an excellent stop when Reiten’s tricky cross from the left reached Kaneryd at the far post.

That pressure told twice before half-time, with Ramirez converting after a spot of pinball that included Kaneryd crashing a shot off the crossbar and Gemma Bonner blocking superbly from the initial rebound.

Liverpool’s setback was compounded five minutes later. Reiten intercepted Laws’ attempt to play out from the edge of her own box and punished fully by guiding a finish into the exposed net.

Beard’s team set about applying pressure from the outset of the second half and were having some joy without creating clear-cut opportunities.

Hannah Hampton plucked in a decent, whipped effort by Hinds from the left corner of the area and Jasmine Matthews dragged a low hit too close to the goalkeeper on a breakaway, as the Reds got on top heading into the final half-hour.

Chelsea’s rearguard was holding firm, however, and in response Laws had to tip over a rising strike from Erin Cuthbert.

The Reds’ efforts continued, but so did the visitors’ solidity and they put paid to any remaining hopes of a fightback in the last minute of normal time.

Ramirez made ground along the right wing and her low pullback was diverted goalwards by Wieke Kaptein. The ball was controlled on its path by Beever-Jones, who finished emphatically.

Team

Laws, Fisk (Daniels, 71), Clark, Bonner, Evans, Hinds, Matthews (Silcock, 72), Holland, Höbinger (Kapocs, 83), Smith, Kiernan (Enderby, 66).

Unused subs: Micah, Spencer, Fahey, Shaw.

Next up

A Merseyside derby is next on the agenda for the Reds.

They travel to Goodison Park to face Everton next Sunday (November 17), with kick-off 3pm GMT. Book tickets and travel for the game here.