Arsenal: Smith 17’, Blackstenius 88’
Liverpool: Olsson 30’
Pre-Match
The Liverpool FC Women returned from an international break with a modicum of momentum after earning their first points of the season with consecutive draws to Brighton and Chelsea ahead of the break. The Reds faced a difficult task of playing away to Arsenal in their first match back, made much more difficult as the squad was shorthanded due to injuries sustained over the international break. Mainstays Ceri Holland, Grace Fisk, and Sam Kerr all missed out, along with regular contributors and reserves like Risa Shimizu, Gemma Bonner, Rafaela Borggräfe, and Emilia Szymczak. Those injuries are on top of Sophie Roman Haug, Marie Höbinger, and Zara Shaw all being lost for the season with ACL injuries.
Due to the plethora of injuries, Gareth Taylor handed out starting roles to Lucy Parry and Hannah Silcock for the first time this season in the WSL. The bench only included five players, including 16 year old Maizie Trueman.
First Half
Liverpool set up in a 5-3-2, with Lucy Parry and Lily Woodham serving as wingbacks. With a different set up than usual and some new starters, it was not too much of a surprise that it was one way traffic to start the match as Arsenal sent wave after wave towards the Liverpool goal. Liverpool seemed quite tentative, both with and without the ball, and struggled to get out of their own half.
Former Liverpool players Olivia Smith and Taylor Hinds were causing lots of trouble for the Reds in the early going. Smith exploited the space between wingback Lucy Parry and right-sided center back Hanna Silcock on several occasions to create shooting opportunities or set up shots for others. The trouble signs were there for Liverpool, and Smith eventually made it stick after she beat three players on the dribble before ripping a low shot from outside of the box that snuck inside the near post to give Arsenal the early lead in the 17th minute.
Liverpool still struggled to get some semblance of any sort of attacking play going after the opening goal. The Reds did manage to put a scare into Arsenal after a long free kick from the defensive half went over the heads of the Arsenal defenders for Beata Olsson to chase down. Goalkeeper Anneke Borbe came outside of her box to challenge Olsson and did just enough to put the Liverpool striker off balance as the ball ran through.
Arsenal continued to push and probe as they looked for a second goal, but it was Liverpool who struck out of seemingly nowhere. Good pressure off of an Arsenal goal kick caused a turnover in the attacking half for the Reds, with Kirsty Maclean playing a quick pass to Mia Enderby between the lines. The young attacker played a first time ball past a defender and into the path of Beata Olsson. The Swedish striker continued her hot streak in front of goal, advancing into the box before driving the ball past Bore in net to level the score. The goal was Olsson’s 7th in the past 5 matches.
Liverpool began to play with more confidence after the goal, winning the ball back with more frequency and playing the ball around with more speed and purpose. Lucy Parry also began to get the measure of Olivia Smith, making several key tackles in the defensive half to snuff out opportunities before they happened.
Parry also was involved in action on the attacking end, as both she and Mia Enderby saw shooting opportunities in the box blocked by Arsenal defenders in quick succession. The momentum shifted to Liverpool to close out the first half.
Second Half
Arsenal came out flying to start the second half as they looked to regain the lead. Faye Kirby made several key saves to keep the Gunners out of the net. Liverpool still saw a decent amount of the ball, but struggled to make any inroads once they got past midfield.
Arsenal brought on a trio of top tier subs in the 56th minute as they looked to wear down Liverpool. The Reds now had to deal with Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe, and the always dangerous Stina Blackstenius.
As the second half wore on, Liverpool began to look ragged as several players were pushing the limits of their fitness. Lucy Parry was withdrawn in the 66th minute, with Hannah Silcock coming off four minutes later. Silcock went down a couple of times before being subbed off with what looked like calf cramps.
Sofie Lundgaard and Alejandra Bernabé were the players to come on. It was the first appearance of the season for Bernabé after dealing with a muscle injury. It became even more of a makeshift lineup for Liverpool as several players were playing out of their usual positions due to necessity.
Liverpool put on a fierce rearguard as they looked to see the match out and take a hard earned point home. Gemma Evans also did brilliantly to make a recovery run as she tracked back to tackle the ball away from Stina Blackstenius after Faye Kirby did just enough to slow down a fast break by the Swedish striker.
Liverpool pushed for their own chance at a winner, pressing high up the pitch late in the match. Unfortunately, the Reds were caught out in the 85th minute after their high line was bypassed with a ball over the top by Emily Fox to find the run of Stina Blackstenius through the middle. Blackstenius put on the brakes at the top of the box, causing two Liverpool defenders to fly by her as she quickly turned and hit the ball with her left foot on the half volley. Her shot rocketed into the top corner to give Arsenal a late 2-1 lead that would stand.
Final Thoughts
It felt like Liverpool had done just enough to take another point away from a tough opponent before conceding the late goal. This was the 4th time this season Liverpool have given up a goal in the 85th minute or later to drop points.
Despite to good effort from a side lacking many of the regular starters and a shorthanded bench, Liverpool did not manage a shot in the entire second half. There are plenty of positives to take away from the match, but there is still a lot of work required to get this squad into a place to consistently compete.
Gareth Taylor and the team will now have to prepare for a massive week ahead with the limited squad. Liverpool will be on the road to face Aston Villa on Thursday before heading to London again to take on West Ham on Sunday. It will be an opportunity to try and climb out of the basement of the WSL against sides that sit 8th and 11th in the table respectively, with West Ham just 2 points ahead of Liverpool currently.
