Sunday 17 November 2019- a landmark afternoon for women’s football, as the reds took on the blues in the first Women's Super League match ever to be held at Anfield.
The bitter cold didn’t stop 23,500 fans attending the Merseyside derby to witness Liverpool take on Everton, which exceeded the initial target of a 20,000 attendance during the women’s football weekend.
Everton was victorious over the home side recording a 1-0 victory thanks to Lucy Graham's goal at the end of the first half.
Liverpool goalkeeper Anke Preuss was unlucky as she let the Everton captain's shot slip through her grasp, spilling into the back of the net, handing the away team three points.
Everton Tinja Korpela kept the score level during the first half, clawing the ball off the line with her left-hand saving the home teams attacking shots.
Melissa Lawley had a couple of efforts driving down the right hand side but Liverpool struggled to click in the box to find the back of the net.
It was Linnett’s twisting, flicked header in the 16th minute which provided the team’s best moment of the first half. Destined to drop inside the far post Tinja Korfela flung herself to her right to claw away the ball.
Rhiannon Roberts’ 25-yard drive built the momentum of a potential goal as Korfela fumbled but with no-one following perhaps a missed chance.
As the second half played out the hosts continued to press attacking the Kop where Charles had a shot blocked by the sliding Danielle Turner.
The second half saw Liverpool push for an equaliser, with fans desperate to see a goal against their bitter rivals.
Liverpool’s substitute Rinsola Babajide certainly posed a threat in the final 30 minutes injecting some much needed pace in the wings. However, it could not rectify the game as the home team tried to find a response but were unsuccessful.
Arguably Liverpool were the better side for much of the game despite the keeper slip up, with Kirsty Linnett, Niamh Charles and Rinsola Babajide particularly influential.
Vicky Jepson will not be pleased with the result as Liverpool continue to be bottom of the league with just one point.
Sideline G conclusion:
With late home pressure ramping up the volume at Anfield, Everton and Liverpool played out an enthralling spectacle. It’s a shame that such a momentous occasion was decided by a keeper mishap as Liverpool were the early aggressors.
As the first real, publicised opportunity for women's football on Merseyside territory and overcoming the initial attendance target proves there is a real appetite locally for the game and I for one am here for it!
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