Liverpool FC Women Draw With Everton In Preseason Finale
Mia Enderby provided a huge spark off the bench in the second half, but the Reds could not find the back of the net in their final tune up ahead of the WSL season.
The Liverpool FC Women closed out their preseason slate of matches, taking on their cross-town rivals Everton. It was the first match at Liverpool’s new home, St. Helen’s Park. Matt Beard had several players missing, with Grace Fisk, Teagan Micah, and Olivia Smith all unavailable. Meanwhile, it was jarring to see Melissa Lawley in the lineup for Everton.
Here's how we line up for our pre-season finale against Everton this afternoon
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) September 15, 2024
In front of their home fans for the first time this summer, Liverpool struggled to keep hold of the ball during the early going. Several players, including the usually dependable Fuka Nagano, gave the ball away all too easily. New signing Gemma Evans was on hand to make several last-ditch tackles to thwart Everton.
Liverpool started to get a hold on the match midway through the first half. Sophie Roman Haug came close to putting the Reds ahead with a strike that whistled just past the far post in the 22nd minute.
Liverpool had a nice stretch of possession through the middle stanza of the first half, but Everton began to ask questions of the defense around the 30 minute mark. Gemma Evans again was on hand to mop things up.
Rachael Laws required treatment for her knee, leading to some interesting questions of “who takes the gloves if she cannot continue”. With no reserve goalkeepers on the bench, it was Yana Daniels who was quickly readied before Laws signaled she would be ok to continue.
Liverpool finished off the first half on a positive note, earning a few late corner kicks. Gemma Bonner forced a good save with a flicked header and Ceri Holland put a shot on target from the top of the box, but neither were able to break the deadlock before the halftime whistle blew.
Matt Beard brought on two players to start the second half, with Mia Enderby and Jasmine Matthews entering for Cornelia Kapocs and Gemma Evans. Enderby finished last season strong and had a great summer with the England U21 squad.
Liverpool were much more positive to start the second half. The Reds put together a sweeping move, starting deep in their own half and finishing with a shot by Ceri Holland that just went wide. The Reds kept the pressure on over the next several minutes with some great ball movement and aggressive high pressing.
While Liverpool started the half the better side, it was Everton that almost made the breakthrough ten minutes in. Rachael Laws was forced to make a leaping save to deny the Blues an opener.
After weathering a period of pressure, Liverpool looked to have found the first goal of the match as Mia Enderby touched the ball past the goalkeeper to finish off a lighting counter attack. Her celebration was interrupted by the lineswoman lifting the flag for an extremely tight offside decision.
Liverpool made changes at the 60 minute mark. Yana Daniels and Sophie Lundgaard came in as Lucy Parry and Fuka Nagano made way for the duo.
Mia Enderby continued to cause issues for the Everton defense with her pace and drew a yellow card after being pulled down at the edge of the box. Taylor Hinds sent the set piece into the wall, but the ball bounced around the box for a couple of moments before it was cleared.
Everton almost gifted Liverpool a goal, with Mia Enderby quickly stepping up to intercept a pass in the Everton box. The young attacker just couldn’t get around the goalkeeper to get the shot away.
Matt Beard brought on the Irish contingent, sending in Nimah Fahey and Leann Kiernan. Gemma Bonner and Sophie Roman Haug came out of the match.
Mia Enderby continued to be a menace, earning several fouls after Everton defenders could not keep up with her quick feet. Enderby looks to be pushing hard for a starting role when the season starts.
Hannah Silcock was brought on in one last switch. She took the place of Jenna Clark.
Leanne Kiernan made her presence felt. Twice she generated good opportunities after making strong runs down the left wing. For the first, Kiernan cut inside and forced a save with a shot of her own. For the second, Kiernan cut the ball back for Mia Enderby, but the shot just went into the outside of the side netting.
Liverpool looked to break through late after a quick transition saw Mia Enderby sent free down the right. She quickly got her head up and played a great early ball across the face of goal for Leanne Kiernan, but a defender just got enough on the ball to keep it from being turned in. The Reds recovered the ball and it was sent in for Yana Daniels. The Belgian flicked the ball to the far post, but the goalkeeper made a fantastic reactions save to keep it out of the net.
Chances came thick in fast in the waning moments of the game. Leanne Kiernan switched to the right side and again made a driving run with the ball. Her low cross was put out for a corner before it could find Taylor Hinds. Kiernan had one last chance to counter down the left wing, but her pass inside to Ceri Holland was cut out as the last play of the match.
Liverpool will finally kick off their WSL season next Sunday as they host Leicester City.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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