Liverpool beat Everton 2-0 at Anfield in the Barclays Women’s Super League Merseyside derby, with Beata Olsson scoring early and Cornelia Kapocs adding a late second.
Liverpool’s match report described Gareth Taylor’s side as deserving winners after a performance in which they created a series of opportunities either side of half-time. Olsson’s fourth-minute header gave the home side an advantage they retained until Kapocs converted in the 86th minute.
Olsson gives Liverpool an early advantage
Liverpool began on the front foot, according to the club’s account. Vivien Endemann had initially threatened down the byline before Naomi Layzell made a block tackle to deny Olsson at the near post.
From the ensuing corner, Olsson headed the ball across goal and into the far corner to open the scoring. Everton responded through Ornella Vignola, whose header went over after goalkeeper Khiara Keating had mishandled a cross.
Layzell was involved at both ends during the opening half. After her early defensive intervention, she hooked an effort wide after an Everton corner had not been cleared. Layzell later blocked a Natalia Ramos strike after a cutback from the left found Ramos unmarked.
The home side continued to find openings. Kapocs fired narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area, while Olsson nearly doubled her tally around the half-hour mark. Olsson met Natalia Ramos’ free-kick with another header, but Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan made a diving save.
Everton also had moments before the interval. Hannah Cain was worked into space in the Liverpool box but sent her effort over the crossbar. At the other end, Brosnan denied Endemann in a one-on-one after Endemann had run through to meet Keating’s long kick.
Liverpool pressure eventually produces second goal
Liverpool resumed by creating another clear chance. Jenna Clark redirected a deep set-piece into the centre and Endemann’s first-time volley struck the crossbar. Ramos then had a 20-yard effort deflected away as Liverpool maintained pressure.
The match report noted that Liverpool still needed a defensive intervention from captain Grace Fisk, whose tackle in the penalty area stopped Zara Kramzar from finishing an Everton counter-attack. Layzell then blocked Ramos after a cutback had found the midfielder unmarked, before Ramos later side-footed over from a central position.
Further Liverpool opportunities followed. Ruby Mace cleared off the line after Kapocs had redirected Fuka Nagano’s delivery past Brosnan, while another Ramos attempt was deflected wide after an Olsson set-up. Keating was called upon late on to palm away a shot from Everton substitute Holly McNamara.
Taylor replaced Maclean with Höbinger after 62 minutes and introduced Bergstrom for Endemann after 76 minutes, according to Liverpool’s team sheet. Bergstrom later delivered the low cross that led to Kapocs’ 86th-minute goal, giving the substitute a direct role in the second-half breakthrough.
Liverpool’s second goal arrived in the 86th minute. Everton failed to clear Alice Bergstrom’s low cross and Kapocs reacted to the loose ball, turning it into the net to secure the 2-0 result.
The result reflected Liverpool’s greater volume of chances in the club’s account, while Everton also created openings, including McNamara’s late attempt that Keating saved. Kapocs’ goal ended the long stretch during which Liverpool led by only one.
The goals came 82 minutes apart, during which Liverpool hit the crossbar and saw another effort cleared off the line.
Liverpool’s next fixture is an away tie against Birmingham City in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday, September 30. The club stated that kick-off at St Andrew’s is scheduled for 7pm BST.