Anfield witnessed its record crowd for a Women’s Super League match, although not the result most expected. Everton took the spoils in the Merseyside derby with a commanding display and comprehensive victory over Liverpool, marking their first win of the campaign perfectly from the perspective of new manager Brian Sørensen. Everton won the last WSL derby here in 2019 in front of a record crowd of 23,500. They repeated the feat in front of a crowd of 27,574, attracted by the success of the European Championships, ticket prices of £7 for adults and £1 for concessions, even a promotional video of Jürgen Klopp courtesy of goals from Megan Finnigan, standout Jess Park and substitute Hanna Bennison. The occasion coincided with the growing momentum of the women’s game, but it came to Liverpool.
“We look scared,” admitted Liverpool manager Matt Beard. “We have to learn to deal with these types of stadiums and crowds. I don’t want that to be the excuse, but it was a factor. We usually play at Prenton Park, which has gone really well for us. The bigger crowd adds pressure on us, but we have to deal with it because that’s the way the women’s game goes. We are desperately disappointed with our performance. Everton made the most of it and deserved to win.” His Everton counterpart agreed that the crowd was a factor, although Sørensen’s side thrived. “It was good to see so many people here “said the Everton manager. “Before the game we said we had to use our football to calm the crowd down and that’s what we did. It was an amazing crowd for women’s football. I’m really happy with that.”
Liverpool had announced their return to the top flight in striking style last weekend when they came from behind to beat reigning champions Chelsea at Prenton Park. The early win and the Anfield support should have given Beard’s players confidence as they bid to become the first newly-promoted side to win their opening two games of a Women’s Super League campaign. Instead, the hosts were immediately on the back foot and dominated by a strong and sharp Everton.
With Sweden international Nathalie Björn controlling the center of the pitch and Park the most potent attacking threat on the pitch, Everton were on the rise from the first whistle. It took just nine minutes for Sørensen’s side to get in front and the breakthrough had been coming. Gabrielle George headed in the first chance of the derby, created by Katrine Veje’s corner, which set the tone for Everton’s success and Liverpool’s set-piece struggles.
Anfield hosted a record crowd for a Women’s Super League game. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA
Finnigan won another corner for the visitors moments later with a shot from 30 yards tipped over by Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws. Veje swept the resulting set piece into the heart of the Liverpool box, where Everton defender Lucy Graham won a header under pressure from Gilly Flaherty. As Emma Koivisto hesitated, Finnigan reacted quicker to the loose ball and headed a header past Laws into the far corner.
Liverpool had shown little in the way of attacking threat beyond Megan Campbell’s accurate long throws. However, they had a chance to equalize when Everton centre-half Rikke Sevecke was caught by Katie Stengel and the striker headed wide. Stengel, whose two penalties had secured victory over Chelsea, sliced through Everton’s defense with his left foot but fired high over Courtney Brosnan’s goal. Everton punished the foul brilliantly.
There looked little danger for Liverpool when Stengel’s misplaced pass was tapped in by Björn inside the away half. But the polished midfielder made appearances look deceiving by escaping the attentions of two Liverpool players and spraying a superb long pass over the head of Jasmine Matthews. Park finished in goal and never seemed to miss an opportunity. Showing excellent pace and composure, the on-loan Manchester City forward sold Laws a dummy, slotted past the keeper and slotted a brilliant finish past Matthews as the defender tried to cover the line.
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The home team improved in the second half without seriously troubling Brosnan. The closest Liverpool came to a goal was when Stengel headed home from a Rhiannon Roberts cross in injury time and the Everton keeper misjudged a rebound before stick to the line With three minutes remaining, the visitors secured victory when substitute Gio Queiroz dispossessed Campbell and Parks played Bennison through on goal. The substitute beat Laws with a convincing finish and sparked jubilant scenes on the Everton bench.