Arsenal take the lead over liverpool

Caitlin Foord on the attack. Photo: Mia Betts

By Katie Vince (15/12/24)

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

Russo shines in the North as Arsenal beat Liverpool. A strong performance from the Gunners shows them take home 3 deserved points.

Arsenal face Liverpool away as they look to climb the table after Chelsea and Manchester City drop crucial points in the WSL title race. Starting off with a very even performance from the two sides, each team looks to put pressure on the other.

Liverpool are gifted with a free-kick early on, taken by Fuka Nagano, which comes to nothing in the end. A through ball gives Alessia Russo the chance for a 1 v 1 with goalkeeper Tegan Micah, but the offside flag is raised.

It doesn’t take long for Alessia Russo to give Arsenal the lead, scoring her fifth goal in three matches, as the ball drops back from McCabe’s corner.

Arsenal continue to press Liverpool’s back-line, and a challenge made on Alessia Russo in the box awards them with a penalty. Mariona Caldentey steps up to take it, and Liverpool get lucky as her shot hits off the post.

A loose pass from Arsenal sees Mia Enderby break through the defence, heading into the danger zone. Steph Catley steps up to make a crucial tackle, recovering the ball.

Momentum is built up by Arsenal as they take another shot at goal, this time by Frida Maanum, which goes just wide of the goal.

Liverpool then move forward with the attack and Arsenal struggle to keep them back. McCabe headers the ball away, which hits the inside post and almost results in an own-goal.

Arsenal hold possession and continue to dominate the game after the break, with Liverpool’s defence looking tired as they struggle to keep up. However, they do take their chances when handed to them.

Leah Williamson and Steph Catley put in a shift as their centre-back partnership keeps Arsenal in the game. They make crucial challenges and recoveries, preventing Liverpool from finding the back of the net.

Substitutions are made for Arsenal at 57 minutes, with Frida Maanum and Beth Mead making way for Kim Little and Stina Blackstenius. Immediately making an impact, Blackstenius wins the Gunners a free kick. Liverpool continue to struggle against Arsenal, and the substitutions only elevate this.

Taylor Hinds is shown a yellow card for a foul on Mariona Caldentey. Arsenal’s free-kick is sent straight into the box, but is defended well by Liverpool. Calls for a handball by Zara Shaw are made, but the midfielder gets lucky as the referee misses it.

Daphne Van Domselaar attempts to take a quick goal-kick, but it is blocked by Olivia Smith but she luckily manages to make a quick recovery.

Continuing their press, Cooney-Cross crosses the ball into the opposition’s box and almost scores from it.

Katie McCabe and Kim Little also take a shot at goal, but Arsenal can’t seem to find the back of the net to double their lead.

In the last minute of additional time McCabe avoids multiple challenges to make a dangerous run across the pitch, but the ball is put out of play and the full-time whistle is sounded.

Teams: LIVERPOOL- T.Micah, G.Fisk, J.Clark, G.Bonner, J.Matthews, T.Hinds (C), F.Nagano, Z.Shaw, C.Holland, M.Enderby, O.Smith

Substitutes Used: A.Silcock (76’), Y.Daniels (76’), C.Kapocs (83’), G.Evans (83’), N.Fahey (83’)

ARSENAL- D.Van Domselaar, E.Fox, L.Williamson (C), S.Catley, M.Caldentey, B.Mead, K.McCabe, F.Maanum, C.Foord, A.Russo, K.Cooney-Cross

Substitutes Used: K.Little (57’), S.Blackstenius (57’), L.Hurtig (75’), L.Wubben-Moy (92’)

Scorers:  (A.Russo 19’)