Match reportLFC Women lose 1-0 to Durham in pre-season friendly at Melwood

Sunday’s game at the AXA Melwood Training Centre was decided in the visitors’ favour by a late, long-range strike by Beth Hepple.

The match was played out over three 30-minute periods amid hot conditions as Gareth Taylor’s squad continue their preparations for the 2025-26 campaign.

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Cornelia Kapocs dragged an early effort wide before Ceri Holland hit the outside of the post with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Kapocs curled over after being released by a Marie Höbinger backheel, with Mia Enderby then firing just wide as the Reds sought a winner.

Maddy Duffy – one of six academy players to feature for Liverpool – was denied by an excellent save and Faye Kirby thwarted Mariana Speckmaier from close range at the other end.

But Durham would secure victory as Hepple curled home from outside the box.

Team

Liverpool: Borggrafe (Kirby, 60), Fisk (Bonner, 60), Woodham (Evans, 60), Clark (Parry, 60), Silcock (Stephens, 60), Maclean (Duffy, 60), Kerr (Burgess, 60), Holland (Maddocks, 60), Höbinger (Andrews, 60), Kiernan (Enderby, 30), Kapocs (McHugh, 60).

Unused sub: Cartmell.

Next up

The Reds’ pre-season continues with a friendly against Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday night (7pm BST kick-off).