Match reportWomen's League Cup: Liverpool score six in victory at Newcastle

An outstanding long-range effort from Zara Shaw – her first senior goal – was quickly followed by a Mia Enderby finish in the group-stage encounter.

Olivia Smith and Cornelia Kapocs further enhanced the visitors’ advantage before half-time, and Enderby grabbed her second and the Reds’ fifth 10 minutes after the interval.

Amy Andrews netted a consolation for Newcastle in the final moments, though a five-goal cushion was restored by substitute Leanne Kiernan.

Liverpool began assertively at Kingston Park and might have led within a minute of kick-off.

Smith battled through a series of challenges in the box and was able to pull the ball back from the byline. Shaw sent a strike on goal that was repelled by Hannah Hawkins and cleared.

The Reds then hit the target with four on the clock, only to be denied by a raised flag.

Again Smith was involved, this time showing strength to keep hold of possession and spreading it right to Grace Fisk. The defender’s low cross was deftly converted by a Kapocs backheel – but from an offside position.

The early pressure told twice in minutes 10 and 12, though.

Shaw opened the scoring in stunning fashion, the 17-year-old collecting Fuka Nagano’s pass 25 yards out, lining up an effort and swerving it high into the top left corner.

Within moments, it was two. Breaking away, Kapocs perfectly timed a threaded pass forward near the halfway line to send Enderby clean through, and the No.13 made no mistake with a low side-footer beyond Hawkins.

Liverpool continued to be largely on top of their Championship opponents but the hosts twice threatened around the midway point of the half.

Isabella Sibley failed to make full contact with her header when picked out inside the area by a left-wing cross, before Gemma Evans recovered brilliantly to tackle Andrews as she sprinted through to goal.

And having weathered that response from Newcastle, the Reds added two more goals before the break.

Their third of the afternoon was coolly finished by Smith from close range having been teed up by Kapocs, who then claimed the final touch on number four from Enderby’s wicked cross in added time.

With his side in command, Matt Beard made four substitutions at half-time, with Taylor Hinds, Ceri Holland, Kiernan and Hannah Silcock sent on.

And they increased their lead to five just 10 minutes into the second period.

Newcastle were unable to clear their lines after Kiernan’s initial shot was blocked at the edge of the box, and Enderby pounced with a clinical low finish pulled inside the right post.

Much of the remainder of the second half was calmer stuff given the scoreline, though the hosts were close to a consolation several times, including a strike dragged off target by Georgia Gibson.

And they got on the scoresheet two minutes from the end, with Andrews dispatching a fine prodded effort past Teagan Micah from a half-cleared ball into the area.

Liverpool were not done either, though, and Kiernan drove in a low shot from Shaw’s assist three minutes into stoppage time to wrap up the contest.

Team

Liverpool: Micah, Fisk (Hinds, 46), Fahey (Bonner, 65), Evans (Silcock, 46), Daniels, Nagano, Shaw, Höbinger (Holland, 46), Enderby, Smith (Kiernan, 46), Kapocs.

Unused subs: Spencer, Clark.

Next up

An international break now follows, with the Reds’ next assignment a trip to Manchester United in the league on Sunday December 8.

Kick-off at Leigh Sports Village is 12pm GMT. Tickets for away supporters can be booked here.