Match reportLFC Women draw 2-2 with Manchester United in pre-season friendly
Liverpool FC Women played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Manchester United in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening.
The Reds came from behind to lead in the early stages of the second half at Leigh Sports Village thanks to excellent goals by Ceri Holland and Cornelia Kapocs.
But United denied the visitors a first win under new head coach Gareth Taylor as Ella Toone equalised with only a couple of minutes remaining.
Taylor’s side had fallen a goal down early on when Simi Awujo profited from a poor clearance by Rafaela Borggrafe.
But Liverpool’s response was positive and, from a Kirsty Maclean free-kick into the penalty area, Sam Kerr saw a header saved superbly by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
And, after a vital last-ditch interception by Gemma Evans had thwarted Celin Bizet at the other end, the Reds drew level as Holland cut inside and found the far corner from a tight angle.
You have to accept cookies in order to view this content on our site.
You have to accept cookies in order to view this content on our site.
United nearly hit back quickly but were frustrated by a brilliant double save by Borggrafe, who first denied Elisabeth Terland and then palmed away Julia Zigiotti Olme’s header from the resulting corner.
Just before half-time, Gemma Bonner produced a fantastic piece of defending to deflect Bizet’s effort wide and then, five minutes after the break, Liverpool went ahead in style.
A surging run down the left by Mia Enderby saw the forward reach the edge of the hosts’ box before she picked out Kapocs, who curled magnificently into the top corner.
Only a goalline clearance by Lily Woodham prevented Terland equalising immediately with a header and the Reds would hold on to their advantage until the closing stages, when Toone met Keira Barry’s delivery from the right with a spectacular volley.
placeholder
Team
Liverpool: Borggrafe, Woodham, Evans (Clark, 62), Bonner, Fisk (Parry, 75), Kerr, Maclean, Holland (Andrews, 75), Höbinger (Kiernan, 75), Kapocs, Enderby (Maddocks, 82).
Unused subs: Kirby, Stephens, Silcock, McHugh, Burgess, Cartmell, Duffy.
Next up
Liverpool’s penultimate pre-season friendly takes place on Sunday, when they will host West Ham United at the AXA Melwood Training Centre (1pm BST kick-off).