Liverpool FC Women 0, London City 0: Positive Performance Blunted By Lack Of Goal Threat

Liverpool kick off their first match of the brand new 12 months at residence, taking over the London Metropolis Lionesses. The Reds are nonetheless searching for their first win of the season, and are determined for factors as they attempt to climb out of the WSL basement.

There are some reinforcements for Gareth Taylor as new signings Jennifer Falk and Alice Bergstrom are each obtainable and within the beginning lineup. Grace Fisk and Risa Shimizu each handed beginning roles in addition to they return from harm layoffs. Gemma Bonner has additionally recovered from harm and is on the bench. The harm checklist continues to be lengthy, nonetheless, leaving Taylor with a bench that includes two academy gamers. Beata Olsson, Leanne Kiernan, and Hanna Silcock are the newest names added to the checklist of hobbled Liverpool gamers. New signing Anna Josendal was not registered in time to function on this match.

With no Beata Olsson, it appears to be like like it is going to be Mia Enderby enjoying via the center. She is flanked by Alice Bergstrom on the proper, with Ceri Holland shifting over to the left facet of the assault.

Ceri Holland steams ahead with the ball down the left flank within the opening minutes of the match, carrying the ball into the field. She shifts the ball right into a capturing place, however the hole of house is shortly closed and her shot is blocked.

Free go again to London Metropolis goalkeeper Elene Lete, and Mia Enderby tries to win a footrace to get to the ball first. Lete is faster to the ball and clears the hazard. Enderby goes to want to step up within the central striker function right now.

Alice Bergstrom will get her first actual likelihood on the ball and reveals she has no concern taking gamers on. She dribbles inside via two defenders earlier than enjoying a ball again vast to Cornelia Kapocs, however the midfielder instantly performs a free go and turns the ball over within the attacking third.

Bergstrom presses the ball excessive up the pitch, forcing an early go that Ceri Holland intercepts. Holland is fouled, giving Liverpool a free kick in a central space about 30 yards from aim. They fight a set piece play, sending it brief to Kirsty Maclean, however her contact is free and the Reds should recycle the ball all the best way again to Falk in aim.

Liverpool steam ahead with the ball after a go from Fuka Nagano releases Cornelia Kapocs. She carries the ball ahead and slides the ball to her proper for Alice Bergstrom as a defender hacks down Kapocs. The referee permits play to proceed with Bergstrom with the ball within the field and the brand new signing tries to slip the ball throughout to the far submit, however it’s vast of the aim and there’s no one there to faucet it in.

It has been Liverpool with many of the ball in a harmful space, however London Metropolis have had a couple of forays ahead. They get the ball down the left wing within the fifteenth minute, however Grace Fisk is there to make an preliminary headed clearance. The ball comes again in and Ceri Holland will get kicked within the head as she goes to move the ball clear once more and a free kick is given.

Falk has not had something to do in web as of but, however she has had a number of alternatives to point out off her distribution. Falk has been very calm with the ball at her ft and has pinged passes round.

Alice Bergstrom picks up a go excessive up the pitch and instantly appears to be like to play a ball via for Mia Enderby within the field. Enderby is caught flawed footed as she didn’t anticipate a go, and the ball rolls via to the goalkeeper. Nice concept by Bergstrom.

Kirsty MacLean performs a pleasant flick to Ceri Holland outdoors of her, setting Holland free down the left wing. The Welsh attacker squares up her defender and cuts inside close to the highest of the field, however her ball to the again submit is simply too sturdy for Alice Bergstrom and runs out of play.

Mia Enderby is felled on the prime of the field in what appears to be like like a transparent foul. The referee stands nonetheless as a statue as all of the gamers look to her anticipating a whistle, after which the ball is hacked clear as she declines to make a name.

Some nice interaction from Alice Bergstrom and Risa Shimizu on the proper flank sees the 2 mix backwards and forwards to finally get Bergstrom a run into the field. She appears to be like to play a ball throughout the face of aim, however it’s blocked behind for a nook. The set piece is partially cleared and goes out for a Liverpool throw and the Reds should recycle possession.

Mia Enderby makes an attempt to settle a ball out of the air and switch previous her defender, however the English striker loses the ball. She offers Wassa Sangaré just a little shove within the field, inflicting a tussle to ensue. The referee stops play and reveals Sangaré a yellow card for her response, awarding a free kick to the Reds within the attacking half. It’s been uncommon for Liverpool to get a fortunate break, so we’ll take it.

A pair moments of discord from the Reds to shut out the primary half. Alice Bergstrom very a lot is desirous to play into the house down the proper wing, making runs and asking for the ball for her to run onto. Cornelia Kapocs eschews enjoying the ball to her, however as a substitute recycles possession. Moments later the roles are reversed with Bergstrom on the ball as she is trying to play the ball into house for Kapocs down the wing, however Kapocs as a substitute holds her run and is in search of the ball to be performed backwards to recycle possession. That, in a nutshell, is the Liverpool assault this season.

That’s the final actual motion of the primary half and the perimeters head to the altering rooms to heat up and focus on ways. It was a reasonably optimistic first half from Liverpool, having extra of the ball and extra of the possibilities. Bergstrom and Holland have created issues for London Metropolis on the wings, however up to now there has not been a presence within the field to actually fear London Metropolis.

No modifications for both facet to begin the second half. It’s very slim selecting for Gareth Taylor for attacking subs if Liverpool want a aim later within the match.

London Metropolis have come out rather more aggressive with their press within the second half. It’s inflicting a couple of issues for Liverpool, giving the guests a bit extra possession than the primary half, particularly greater up within the attacking finish.

Simply vast from Alice Bergstrom! Kirsty MacLean with a pleasant bit of labor to hold the ball ahead after which delivers a diagonal ball over the protection for Bergstrom. The Swede instantly will get her head up as she enters the field and lofts the ball over the goalkeeper, however the ball drifts simply inches vast of the far submit. That’s the closest Liverpool have come to scoring.

Liverpool with a spell of possession across the London Metropolis field, with a number of gamers seeming to have an opportunity to get the ball into the field or take a shot. As an alternative, in every of the situations, the ball was performed sideways or backwards, with possession finally going all the best way again to Falk in aim. Exhausting to attain in case you don’t take a shot.

Gareth Taylor makes his first change of the match within the 62nd minute. It’s a like for like change as Lucy Parry comes on for Risa Shimizu at proper again. Risa had a pleasant run out, combining properly with Alice Bergstrom down the proper wing.

Cornelia Kapocs makes a fantastic flip beneath stress in her defensive half and carries the ball ahead with Elana Linari grabbing at her and pulling her again as Kapocs tries to interrupt free. Kapocs finally loses management of the ball and the referee halts play to award a free kick and present Linari a yellow card.

Liverpool once more with good attacking play, beginning with Ceri Holland down the left wing. The ball is performed inside to Fuka Nagano, who then slides it throughout to Alice Bergstrom on the proper wing. Bergstrom shifts the ball inside and enters the field earlier than hitting a left-footed shot that’s blocked out.

Grace Fisk with a few nice headed clearances. She will get again to make a diving clearance of a cross, turning it behind for a nook kick. She then rises the best after London Metropolis play a brief nook and loft a cross into the field, once more heading the ball away from hazard and the Reds break ahead.

The Mia Enderby Expertise is in full impact. Liverpool break ahead after Fisk clears the nook kick, and Enderby is launched free into the proper channel. She doesn’t have the velocity to drag away from her header and tries to play a go for Alice Bergstrom, however the go is a poor one and runs out of play for a aim kick.

London Metropolis have made a raft of modifications over the previous 10 minutes as they carry on contemporary legs to attempt to discover a winner.

Liverpool break ahead once more as Cornelia Kapocs intercepts a go and drives the ball ahead earlier than sliding it to Kirsty MacLean to her left. The Scottish midfielder shortly places the ball into the trail of the run of Ceri Holland, who advances into the field. Holland has a capturing likelihood from 12 yards out, however she blazes the ball over the crossbar. She actually wanted to check the goalkeeper there. Liverpool are nonetheless with no shot on track (as are London Metropolis).

Alice Bergstrom once more reveals her willingness to make issues occur. She has the ball on the proper wing and drives a harmful cross into the field. It comes via to the far submit the place Ceri Holland had made a run, however a defender did simply sufficient to get again and get between Holland and the ball.

As we strategy the final 5 minutes of regulation, the match is being performed all within the Liverpool defensive half. To date the Reds have accomplished sufficient to clear their strains and take care of something earlier than a shot could be taken. We’ve seen too many late collapses this season to not be nervous, nonetheless.

London Metropolis get simply their second shot of the sport, however it’s blocked out by a defender. They hold management of the ball and ship a cross into the field, however this time Jennifer Falk confidently comes out and punches the ball clear. It involves Ceri Holland, who steams ahead down the left wing earlier than being clipped from behind to earn a free kick close to the midfield stripe. Nothing comes of it.

Liverpool earn one other free kick, this time just a little methods into the London Metropolis half. The ball is lofted into the field with a crush of gamers going for it. The ball clearly goes off the pinnacle of a London Metropolis participant, however the referee awards a foul for some innocuous contact.

That’s the final important motion of the match because the referee blows for full time simply moments later with the rating at 0-0.

That was an general stable efficiency by Liverpool. The Reds have been the constantly extra threatening facet as they created a number of good alternatives however couldn’t capitalize. Alice Bergstrom and Ceri Holland created constant threats down both flank, with the 2 creating and taking the most effective probabilities of the day. Not having an actual presence in the midst of the assault positively damage Liverpool.

Defensively, Liverpool have been very stable and solely allowed two photographs all match. Neither facet have been in a position to put a shot on track. In the long run, Liverpool earn one other level and their first clear sheet within the WSL this season. The Reds are actually only a level behind West Ham on the foot of the desk.

Liverpool will now take a break from WSL play as they face the London Bees subsequent Sunday within the FA Girls’s Cup. Anna Josendal needs to be obtainable for her Liverpool look for that match earlier than the membership return to league play the next weekend towards Spurs. Gareth Taylor is hoping to get a couple of extra gamers this January, so there may very well be some further signing bulletins to sit up for as properly.