NewsWSL match report: Leicester City 2-1 Liverpool

Another Olivia Smith goal put the Reds in front after just three minutes, but the hosts hit back and led at half-time thanks to Janice Cayman and Missy Goodwin.

Matt Beard’s side, for whom Sophie Roman Haug returned from injury as a second-half substitute, pushed to find an equaliser but were unable to do so.

The afternoon began in ideal fashion for the visitors when Smith’s industry was rewarded as she closed down Janina Leitzig and the goalkeeper’s clearance rebounded off her and in.

Taylor Hinds then had a shot blocked after a flowing Liverpool move that also involved Sam Kerr and Smith, but Leicester soon served notice of their threat from set-pieces as Sophie Howard hooked a volley over the crossbar following a corner.

And, moments later, the hosts were level as their captain Cayman swept home the second ball after Leicester had made first contact with a hopeful free-kick sent into the penalty area from the halfway line.

Another set-piece saw Foxes centre-back Julie Thibaud nod into the side-netting, before Leitzig saved Hinds’ header at the other end.

The half appeared set to end all square but, five minutes before the break, Leicester took the lead.

The home side won the ball back from a Hinds throw-in and moved it over to the left, where an unmarked Goodwin scuffed her attempt back across Teagan Micah and into the bottom corner.

Having introduced Marie Höbinger and Gemma Evans from the bench at the interval, Beard quickly also brought on Leanne Kiernan and Julia Bartel in search of a leveller.

Two of those substitutes combined to create an opening soon after as Höbinger freed Kiernan in behind. Kiernan then teed up Hinds, whose low drive from the edge of the area was gathered by Leitzig.

As the clock ticked past the hour, Ceri Holland slipped Smith in with a fine angled pass. The No.11 was seemingly fouled but opted to stay on her feet and get her shot away, only for Thibaud to produce a crucial last-ditch challenge.

Beard’s final throw of the dice came in the form of Roman Haug, who, after three months out, entered the action and provided a central focal point for Smith and Kiernan to work around.

Liverpool probed for an opportunity to get themselves level but Leicester defended resolutely and, two long-range attempts from Höbinger aside, Leitzig remained largely untroubled.

The Reds’ final chance came and went in stoppage time as Kiernan fired into the side-netting from inside the area, and the points were Leicester’s.

Team

Liverpool: Micah, Parry (Evans, 46), Fisk, Bonner, Clark, Hinds (Roman Haug, 68), Nagano (Höbinger, 46), Kerr (Bartel, 55), Holland, Smith, Enderby (Kiernan, 55).

Unused subs: Laws, Kapocs, Daniels, Shaw.

Next up

Liverpool visit West Ham United for a rearranged fourth-round tie in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Wednesday night (7.45pm GMT kick-off). Match tickets and free coach travel, provided by club partner Expedia, can be booked online here.