Brighton: Not applicable
Liverpool: N/A
Before the game
Liverpool Women travel to Brighton in search of their first consecutive league win of the season. The Reds’ victory over bottom-placed Leicester City last weekend created some breathing room in the relegation zone. A win over Brighton would leave Liverpool just one point behind the Seagulls in the standings.
advertise
Gareth Taylor has some key players back after being cut down through injury. Denis O’Sullivan returns to the starting XI to bolster the midfield, while Alice Bergstrom is fit enough to take up the bench. Grace Fisk was forced into the right-back role after Lucy Parry was injured last weekend and Risa Shimizu is still returning from the Asia Cup. Gemma Bonner got a rare start at centre-back, filling the void left by Fisk. With Kazuka Nagano also returning from international duty, Kirsty McLean retains his place in the starting midfield. The bench is loaded with offensive depth, but youngster Mazie Trueman is the only true midfielder if needed.
first half
Liverpool attacked immediately from the kick-off, passing the ball quickly down the left wing to Alejandra Bernabe. The left back rushed to the ball and reached the end line, then passed the ball into the penalty area. The two forwards advanced, but the ball was clearly visible in front of Beata Olsson.
advertise
Mia Enderby did her best to beat a player under pressure in the defensive half before running away down the right wing. There were plenty of bodies in the penalty area to defend, but her ball lacked any speed and was blocked in the third minute.
Gemma Bonner rushed to clear the ball just in front of the Brighton forward who was fed a pass by Fran Kirby. Reading the game was excellent and Bonner’s recovery speed was excellent.
Jennifer Falk made a simple save on her first try of the game. Brighton provided an excellent break through Rosa Kafaji’s run, redirecting the ball into the net at full speed for the first time, but right on Falke.
Liverpool’s defense was in disarray on the left and Fran Kirby found an opportunity in space on the right. She burst into the penalty area and tried to slide the ball through for Rosa Kaffagi to run past, but the ball was right behind Kaffagi and the Swede could not touch it.
advertise
After several early attacks, Liverpool struggled to keep the ball for long in Brighton’s half. There was not much pressure from the media as the home team performed well against Liverpool. Brighton had more possession and seemed to dominate the midfield midway through the first half.
Liverpool finally established themselves in the first half, moving the ball from side to side in search of gaps. Several balls entered the box and were partially cleared before the Reds regained possession. A few minutes later, the ball fell to Denis O’Sullivan at the top of the penalty area, but she turned to avoid the defender, the ball was too far away from her, and the ball was counterattacked by Brighton.
A minute later, Liverpool were awarded a corner kick and their high press resulted in a poor pass from Brighton crossing the line. The first corner was cleared but Liverpool retained possession. The ball was passed from the channel into the penalty area and Beta Olsen headed it in, forcing Chiamaka Nardozzi to make a diving save on the left.
Brighton’s cross from the left was met by Rosa Kaffagi’s header, once again exposing Liverpool’s defence. Jenna Clark used her head to clear the ball off the goal line after her initial chance, but the whistle blew for offside.
advertise
Jennifer Falk passed the ball to the left wing for Alejandra Bernabé to run in, and the Spanish left-back managed to get past Rachel McLaughlan to drill the ball deep into the half. She had a player in the box and received a dangerous cross, but the ball bounced in front of Cornelia Capkos, ricocheting off her torso and arms.
Excellent opportunity in Liverpool! Mia Enderby presses high on a square pass at the top of the box. The attacker takes a shot, but the ball goes over the goal. Enderby must do better there and at least test the goalkeeper.
As the first half came to a close, Brighton kept pushing forward. They solved the problem well and Rosa Kafaji had a chance to shoot but her shot was high.
Ceri Holland rushed down the left wing and caught the ball down the line. She stepped on the defender and fired a shot from a tight angle. Nardozzi made a save at the near post.
advertise
Liverpool looked to continue their attack with Seri Horan, with the Welsh attacker clearly fouled as he tried to get up to retain possession after slipping and being stepped on in the leg. The referee called a foul on Brighton when the Dutch team fell on the ball. A strange one. Brighton moved forward quickly and Fran Kirby fired in from the right wing. She had a choice but ended up firing a shot that cleared the stadium roof behind the goal.
As the second half progressed, Cherry Holland’s influence became more and more significant. She advanced again from the left wing and struck a lovely shot across the face of the goal. It was touched in the back corner. The set piece was sent into the center of the box and cleared.
A minute later, the referee blew the halftime whistle. Brighton dominated much of the first half, but Liverpool made some noise in the final 10 minutes. Both sides had a great chance but it was squandered. Gareth Taylor has plenty of attacking dynamism off the bench if needed in the second half.
second half
Madison Haley’s ball went over the top and landed dangerously near the top of the box, with Jennifer Falk quickly clearing herself from her goal line. Falke skates out, wins the ball ahead of the striker and manages to stay at the top of the box.
advertise
While Brighton moved the ball in attack, Liverpool had a number of defenders defending. Grace Fisk did well to break through and block the first attempt before Jenna Clark deflected the ball away for a corner. Brighton were finding plenty of space to shoot into and Liverpool’s cracks were showing.
Grace Fisk sprints forward to catch the ball and perform a down roll. Her first attempt at a cross found the ball blocked behind, resulting in a corner kick. Cherry Holland sent the ball into the box and Beta Olsen headed the ball past the near post, her header skimming past the far post for a goal kick.
Some good movement and passing from Liverpool allowed the Reds to start attacking deep in their own half. Alejandra Bernabé found Ceri Holland running ahead of her and slid the ball across the baseline for Holland to collect. Holland was supported into the penalty area, faced the defender, and then gained a yard of space and crossed for Berta Olsen’s header. The Swedes had just been beaten in possession but Liverpool retained possession and scored a few more goals in the box but they couldn’t get to the end.
A superb forward pass from Alejandra Bernabé’s quick run forced Rosa Kafaji to foul the Spanish left-back. This was a yellow card received by a Brighton player and a free kick from Liverpool about 5 yards from the upper left corner of the Brighton penalty area. Cherry Holland surprised Brighton’s defense with a low set-piece. Mia Enderby and Beata Olsson both came close to touching the ball, but it was cleared just as it passed them.
advertise
Liverpool started to pile on the pressure. Cherry Horan was undoubtedly the heart of the attack and she had a late chance when she reached the finish line again and delivered a lovely cross into the box. Once again Liverpool players were unable to get the right touch on the ball.
Jenna Clark’s stunning recovery run cut off the angle of substitute Nadine Noordam and received the ball in front of her and passed it back to Jennifer Falk. It was a good reminder to Liverpool that Brighton still posed a considerable threat on the counter-attack.
Gareth Taylor made two substitutions in the 65th minute. Martha Thomas comes on for Mia Enderby and Aurélie Csillag comes on for Cornelia Kapocs. Silage plays point forward and Beta Olsen moves out to the right. Martha Thomas plays more of an attacking midfield role.
Aurélie Csillag did well to catch Kirsty MacLean’s pass and drive the ball into the box, beating out a defender. Unfortunately, Silage’s touch was too hard, causing Nardozzi to come out and collect the ball before the Swiss striker could take a shot.
advertise
Cherry Holland was pushed in the back as he beat the defender again on the left wing. Maelys Mpomé received a yellow card and the Reds were awarded a free kick. The Netherlands took the set kick and shot the ball towards the penalty spot. Beata Olsson headed in but her header again missed the far post.
Liverpool were short of another big chance. Martha Thomas played a wonderful pass for Aurélie Csillag at the corner, and the Swiss striker was released into space on the right. As Brighton scrambled for a counter-attack, she sprinted forward with the ball and Cherie Holland found her way into the center of the box. Maelys Mpomé sprinted over to challenge Csillag, took one touch and ran into the attacker to save the chance.
Brighton pushed forward and saw a cross to the far post, only to miss the connection. The ball was recovered and returned to the inside, and Denis O’Sullivan was called for a foul. Brighton were awarded a free kick into the penalty area but Liverpool did well to clear it.
Beata Olsson got the ball twice from the right wing. In both cases, she received a cross, but both times the ball was too close to Chiyamaka Nardozzi for the goalkeeper to catch it.
advertise
Martha Thomas won the ball inside the Brighton penalty area and for a moment it looked like she had a chance to score. Manuela Vanegas did a great job passing the ball, challenging and winning the ball back.
Liverpool produced some complex play down the left wing and Cherry Horan eventually received the cross. The ball was partially blocked and Aurelie Silage put enough pressure on the defender to force her to put the ball behind the near post for a corner kick. Holland passed the ball in and Grace Fisk headed it, but she was unable to get the ball into the goal and the goal kick was given.
Brighton advanced down the right wing and Denis O’Sullivan deflected a cross in behind to earn a corner kick. The ball went in, causing chaos and Manuela Venegas headed home. Jenna Clark received the ball overhead and redirected the ball onto the crossbar, where it bounced off the crossbar before Gemma Bonner knocked the ball away. Liverpool defenders scrambled to block Brighton’s shot, which ended up heading for another corner. This time Liverpool successfully cleared the ball.
Oh, so close to Liverpool! Had it been scored after a Liverpool throw-in deep in Brighton’s half, it might have been controversial. Using the multi-goal system, Liverpool quickly passed the ball to O’Reilly Silage from about 10 yards behind. The Swiss forward took a few steps with the ball, sent the ball into the penalty area, and then shot low. Although not very powerful, Ciamaka Nardozzi mishandled the ball and the ball hit her foot. She fell backwards and the ball bounced across the goal and just past the far post for a corner kick.
advertise
Already disconnected! Liverpool passed the ball in and Martha Thomas headed it home. The ball deflected off the head of Beata Olsson in front and around the goal, where it was eventually cleared off the goal line. When Liverpool regained possession and attempted to drive the ball back into the penalty area, the referee blew the full-time whistle.
final thoughts
In the end, one point was probably a fair result as both sides had some pretty good chances throughout the game, with both teams clearing the ball off the line in overtime. Liverpool grew into the game and became the better team in the second half, but just couldn’t convert. Cherry Holland appears to be the player who brings hope to the Reds once again, with O’Reilly Silage and Martha Thomas both making a positive impact as substitutes.
The point moves the Reds further ahead of West Ham United and Leicester City, although the Foxes have two games remaining before a clash with Aston Villa later today. Liverpool have another important game next weekend as they face Everton away in the Merseyside derby. Gareth Taylor’s side defeated the Blues in the Women’s FA Cup at the end of February.
