Match reportLiverpool clinch important victory over Leicester in WSL

An early opener from Beata Olsson and a late penalty by Ceri Holland bookended the game at St Helens Stadium.

Gareth Taylor’s team thereby climbed above West Ham United in the table and moved four points clear of Leicester at the bottom.

A driving run from Holland created the match’s opening threat in the fifth minute.

The Wales international carried the ball with urgency from near halfway and reached the Leicester area, from where she flashed a reverse strike just wide of the left post.

But the home fans did not have to wait long to celebrate.

Ten minutes in, a flowing move saw Cornelia Kapocs tee up Mia Enderby on the right flank and her low cross evaded the reach of Foxes goalkeeper Janina Leitzig and allowed Olsson to tuck the ball in.

There was an even spell of play after the goal, but when more opportunities did come, past the half-hour mark, they were for Liverpool.

Again, Holland’s directness was key as she powered infield from the left and aimed at goal. The effort deflected off Asmita Ale and swirled towards the far corner, only for Leitzig to react quickly and claw away.

Kirsty Maclean lifted a long-ranger too high on the follow-up, before Martha Thomas and Alisha Lehmann missed the target at either end.

The visitors threatened a response on the cusp of half-time. Hannah Cain’s forward run to the byline preceded a pullback to the near post, where Lehmann backheeled the ball – but into the gloves of Jennifer Falk.

In the final action of the first half, Alejandra Bernabe was not too far away with a clipped half-volley from a cleared corner.

In contrast to the ever more treacherous weather, scoring chances dried up during the first half of the second period in St Helens.

One low Enderby attempt was a routine stop for Leicester goalkeeper Leitzig, while at the other end Foxes substitute Noemie Mouchon dragged her finish wide at the end of a promising dribble.

Enderby snatched at a rebound from a Leicester clearance inside the box, preceding a strong spell for the away side.

A Thomas block deflected away another Mouchon threat and Reds captain Grace Fisk then made a superb intervention to get in the way of a clear-cut shooting opportunity for Missy Goodwin.

Thomas could only glance a header wide from Olsson’s accurate cross as Liverpool sought a clinching second.

And that arrived from the penalty spot in minute 89. Aurélie Csillag was clearly fouled by Ale in the box and Holland stepped up to rifle the kick home.

Both Thomas and Csillag might have added to the scoreline but two goals were enough for the Reds – who saw Anna Josendal make a debut in stoppage time – to climb to 10th.

Team

Liverpool: Falk, Parry (Bonner, 59), Fisk, Clark, Bernabe, Maclean, Kapocs, Thomas, Enderby (Csillag, 70), Holland, Olsson (Josendal, 90+1).

Unused subs: Kirby, Evans, Woodham, McDonald, Trueman.

Next up

Liverpool are on the road next Sunday (March 22), visiting Brighton & Hove Albion in the WSL. Kick-off at Broadfield Stadium is 12pm GMT.

View away ticket and coach travel details here.