Liverpool 0-1 Everton
by James Nalton
at Anfield

A GOALKEEPING error from Liverpool’s German stopper Anke Preuss decided the first Merseyside Derby to be played at Anfield in the Women’s Super League, as Vicky Jepson’s side remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Everton captain Lucy Graham has been awarded the goal after her speculative effort from distance, with just seconds remaining in the first half, eventually nestled in the back of the net.

It was a much-improved performance from the home side, but they were unable to make their good field position count against some resilient Everton defending.

The game was part of the FA’s Women’s Football Weekend which included a number of high-profile matches moved to larger stadiums to accommodate extra fans across the country. 

Liverpool usually play at Prenton Park, Birkenhead, the home of Tranmere Rovers, while Everton play their home games in Walton. Merseyside derbies always have an extra edge, but staging the game at Anfield added to the occasion.

23,500 fans left only a few patches of empty seats on the three sides of the ground which were open for the game. The bottom tier of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand was almost full, while Everton fans packed the Anfield Road end.

Liverpool threatened early on through tricky winger Niamh Charles. The Wirral-born 20-year-old caused problems down the left flank, also managing to get in a good position on the end of a cross from the opposite side, but scuffed her shot.

The home side were bottom of the league going into the game with only a point to their name this season, but they started like favourites here.

Kirsty Linnett’s header forced an excellent reaction save from Everton's Finnish goalkeeper, Tinja-Riikka Korpela, and towards the end of the first-half Linnett sent a shot just wide following a driving run from midfield.

Korpela was called into action again, fumbling Rhiannon Roberts’s shot, but there were no Liverpool forwards on hand to capitalise on the mistake and the Finn collected at the second attempt.

Then deep into first-half injury time, Graham’s snapshot from range was dropped by Preuss into her own net in front of the Kop. To say it was against the run of play would be an understatement.

Liverpool continued to have the better of things in the second-half, everywhere except on the scoreboard. One-time Everton striker Courtney Sweetman-Kirk blasted over the bar shortly before being substituted, with her replacement, Rinsola Babajide setting up Charles, only for the shot to be blocked.

Everton defended well, showing why they have only conceded four goals in their six games this season. Babajide tested them further, and Charles’s shot from Roberts’s cross sailed just wide of the goal into an increasingly lively Kop.

Liverpool continued to probe, and the Anfield atmosphere they had hoped for prior to the game eventually delivered. Unfortunately for the home side, they weren’t able to deliver a result, but the performance was an encouraging one and will give them hope they can turn their season around.

“It hurts more when you’ve been the best team,” said Liverpool manager, Jepson.

“One poor shot ended up in the back of the net from our goalkeeper, which Anke is devastated about.

“The first thing she said to me was an apology, but keepers make mistakes and she’s been one of our best players this season.

“The crowd were incredible getting behind our women’s team, so its great to see that.”

The win keeps Everton fourth, just four points off league leaders Chelsea and three behind third-placed Arsenal who Liverpool face next week.