Constancy Sport

photo taken from Lauren White for Constancy Sport

Written by: Fleur Dias

Alessia Russo struck twice to give Arsenal a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, but Renée Slegers’ side have little time to celebrate with a daunting trip to Barcelona next on the schedule.

Arsenal left Anfield with three valuable points on Sunday, but the scoreline only did so much  for the story.

Alessia Russo’s first-half brace proved decisive in a 2-1 Women’s Super League victory over Liverpool, offering Renée Slegers some much-needed breathing room after a difficult run of results. However, there were familiar defensive concerns, a growing reliance on one source of goals and fresh injury questions to contend with.

The visitors had to work for their victory, particularly in the closing stages, as Liverpool threatened to take something from a game in which they created several promising opportunities.

A lively opening at Anfield

Neither side took long to find its attacking rhythm. Emily Fox supplied the first real opening, picking out Caitlin Foord with a cross, but the Australian’s first-time effort lacked the power to trouble Khiara Keating.

Liverpool responded through Vivien Endemann, who cut inside from the right before curling an effort narrowly wide. Lisa Baum then came close to putting Arsenal ahead, drifting into space and letting fly, only for Samantha Kerr’s deflection to send the ball crashing against the crossbar.

Russo soon turned provider, threading a pass through to Olivia Smith, whose attempted volley sailed over. Liverpool looked equally willing to test the opposition from distance, with Jenna Clark sending a long-range effort straight into Misa Rodríguez’s gloves.

The breakthrough arrived in the ninth minute. Fox found space on the right and delivered an inviting ball into the box, where Russo timed her run perfectly to finish and give Arsenal the lead.

Liverpool did not take long to respond. Seven minutes later, Natalia Ramos picked out Beata Olsson, who worked herself some room on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area before guiding a low finish into the bottom-left corner.

It was another reminder of Arsenal’s vulnerability when opponents bypass their initial pressure. Ramos had more than enough time to pick her pass, while the space between Leah Williamson and Steph Catley allowed Olsson to attack the ball without much resistance.

The hosts sensed an opportunity to build on their equaliser. Rodríguez had to be alert to push Ramos’ free-kick onto the crossbar, while Clark briefly thought she had completed the turnaround after converting from a Ramos corner. The celebrations were short-lived, however, as the assistant referee raised the flag for offside against Endemann.

Arsenal gradually found their footing again as the half wore on. Russo released Foord on the counter, but the forward dragged her effort wide despite having options to her right. Foord tried again moments later, cutting inside from the left, only to find Keating in her way.

The visitors continued to apply pressure. Georgia Stanway combined neatly with Foord before seeing her effort pushed against the side netting by Keating. Foord then pulled the ball back for Smith, whose shot was blocked by Grace Fisk, while Taylor Hinds sent the rebound over.

Just as Liverpool appeared to have weathered the pressure, Arsenal found their second goal in almost identical fashion to the opener.

This time, Baum provided the delivery from the right. Russo rose above the Liverpool defence and directed her header beyond Keating, restoring Arsenal’s advantage in the final moments of the first half.

Russo delivers, but Arsenal need more

Russo’s contribution was impossible to overlook. The England international took her recent tally to seven goals in four appearances, continuing a remarkable run at a time when Arsenal have needed someone to take responsibility in front of goal.

There is, however, a wider concern behind the numbers. Arsenal have become increasingly dependent on their centre-forward to provide the finishing touch, with six of their previous seven goals coming from Russo.

Her movement inside the penalty area has been excellent. She consistently finds pockets of space, attacks crosses with conviction and has looked increasingly assured in front of goal. Both finishes against Liverpool demonstrated those qualities.

The problem lies here: the attacking responsibility cannot rest on her shoulders indefinitely.

Smith, Foord, Baum and Frida Maanum all offer different ways of creating problems for opposition defences. Arsenal have shown flashes of an effective attacking structure, particularly through the wide areas, but need more consistency in turning those combinations into goals.

Slegers was quick to praise Russo after the match, highlighting the quality of both finishes and her ability to find the right positions in the box. She also pointed towards the collective effort behind those goals, from the deliveries to the defensive work required to protect the lead.

The challenge now is to make that attacking threat less predictable. Against Barcelona, Arsenal are unlikely to enjoy the same opportunities to repeatedly feed Russo inside the box. They will need to make their moments count and find contributions from elsewhere.

Defensive questions remain

The second half took considerably longer to produce a clear-cut opportunity. Slegers made her first adjustments in the 56th minute, introducing Élisa de Almeida and Frida Maanum for Steph Catley and Baum.

Arsenal had opportunities to extend their advantage. Smith carried the ball towards the edge of the area following a set-piece, but her effort drifted wide. Russo also came close to completing her hat-trick when Georgia Stanway sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal, only for Clark to get a touch and divert it behind.

The visitors made further changes in the 76th minute, with Smilla Holmberg and Kyra Cooney-Cross replacing Smith and Kim Little.

Liverpool, meanwhile, continued to look for openings. With five minutes remaining, a costly Arsenal giveaway allowed Mao Itamura to drive towards goal and test Rodríguez at her near post. The goalkeeper reacted quickly to make the save and preserve the lead.

There was another concern when Hinds was forced off with what looked to be an ankle injury in the closing stages, with Lotte Wubben-Moy introduced in her place.

Liverpool almost found an equaliser in the 88th minute. Itamura delivered into the box, but Cornelia Kapocs could only hook her effort wide when presented with a promising opportunity.

Arsenal survived the late pressure to secure all three points, but the defensive performance will give Slegers plenty to review.

Williamson’s role is particularly interesting in this regard. The England captain is one of Arsenal’s most technically accomplished defenders, capable of stepping into midfield, carrying possession forward and breaking opposition lines with her passing. Her ability to operate almost as an additional midfielder gives Arsenal another route through the press and allows them to build attacks from deeper positions.

However, that freedom requires a coordinated defensive structure around her.

Against Liverpool, the centre-back partnership became stretched, particularly when Catley stepped out and left Williamson exposed against Olsson. It was not simply a question of individual defending. The distance between the defensive line and midfield allowed Ramos to play forward without sufficient pressure.

Arsenal have also experimented with an aggressive defensive shape in which their back four do not always maintain a conventional flat line. The positioning of the outside defenders can create different angles for building possession and stepping into challenges, but it also demands precise communication and timing. When the midfield fails to block the passing lane, the space behind becomes an obvious target.

It is a tactical balancing act Slegers must get right. Williamson’s ability to influence the game higher up the pitch is an asset, but Arsenal cannot afford to leave her defending large spaces without adequate cover.

The manager acknowledged as much after the match, admitting that the team needed to improve its defensive organization and the way they handle transitions.

Liverpool had periods of sustained possession and repeatedly tested Arsenal’s ability to defend their own penalty area. The hosts registered 15 shots, while Arsenal managed 20. More concerningly, Liverpool’s attacking opportunities were not always the result of elaborate build-up play. Direct passes through the middle and quick transitions created problems that Arsenal will need to address.

Slegers also highlighted the difficulty of playing against Liverpool’s aggressive pressing structure. Arsenal had planned to use the opposite side of the pitch to escape the home side’s pressure, and there were moments when that approach worked particularly well.

However, she admitted that the team could have switched play more frequently to create additional space.

The second half brought some improvement, but the overall performance remained a work in progress.

Barcelona next: no room for defensive uncertainty

There is little time for Arsenal to celebrate the narrow victory. Thursday brings a trip to Camp Nou to face Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, a considerably different test of their ability to manage possession, space and pressure.

Slegers was already looking ahead to that challenge when discussing Liverpool’s attacking threat. She acknowledged that the team needed to improve its pressing structure and organisation in the middle of the pitch, particularly against opponents who are comfortable dominating possession.

Barcelona are precisely that kind of opponent.

Arsenal cannot afford to press without coordination or allow gaps to develop between their midfield and defensive lines. Barcelona’s ability to find players between the lines and move the ball quickly could punish the same defensive lapses that Liverpool exposed.

The visitors will also need to be more composed when they regain possession. Against an opponent likely to dominate the ball, counter-attacking opportunities could prove important, but those moments require better decision-making and more support around Russo.

Fitness is another consideration heading into the European fixture.

Ona Batlle missed the Liverpool match with a knock, leaving Arsenal without one of their regular defensive options. Hinds’ late withdrawal adds another question mark, although Slegers offered some encouragement after the game, saying she hoped the injury was not too serious. She had not yet received an official medical update.

Daphne van Domselaar’s return to the substitutes’ bench was a positive development, but Arsenal’s wider injury situation remains a concern. Mariona Caldentey, Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly, Selina Cerci, Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang have also been dealing with fitness issues, making squad management particularly important during a demanding run of fixtures.

Batlle’s availability would be especially valuable given the uncertainty surrounding Hinds. Arsenal need their defensive options available, particularly with Barcelona followed by another important domestic fixture against London City Lionesses.

Three points, but plenty to improve

The victory at Anfield was important for more than just the league table. After dropping points against Aston Villa, Arsenal needed a response, and the players showed the determination to get one.

Slegers praised the character displayed in the closing stages, particularly the collective effort to protect their advantage. She admitted that the team would have preferred a more comfortable finish, but was pleased with the determination shown when Liverpool pushed for an equaliser.

There were positives to take away. Russo remains in outstanding form, Fox and Baum supplied two excellent deliveries, and Rodríguez made important saves when called upon.

Yet the result should not disguise the work still required. Arsenal need to defend transitions more effectively, maintain better distances between their lines and find more consistent attacking contributions beyond Russo.

Barcelona will offer a far sterner examination of those weaknesses. Arsenal have shown they can grind out a result when required. At Camp Nou, they will need to demonstrate that they can also control the spaces, manage the pressure and offer a more complete performance.

The three points are secured. The bigger test is still to come.