WSL match report: Liverpool claim brilliant 3-0 win over Brighton at the Amex

Beata Olsson gave Gareth Taylor’s team an instant lead in Saturday evening’s contest at Amex Stadium.

Cornelia Kapocs made it two in similarly swift fashion at the outset of the second half and Olsson wrapped it up in the closing stages.

Liverpool produced the ideal start within four minutes of kick-off.

Vivien Endemann’s dribble created a crossing position from the right flank and her delivery was met in the near-post area by Olsson with a quick, low finish past the goalkeeper.

It was the punctuation point of a confident opening from the Reds, who passed crisply and pressed effectively in numbers.

Endemann was a persistent thorn in Brighton’s side, literally, and had to be snuffed out on several further occasions.

Clear chances had been minimal until two arrived for Mao Itamura around the half-hour mark.

The first was a strike blocked by Gabby George having been teed up inside the box by Fuka Nagano.

Her second opportunity was more threatening, as Kapocs broke into space along the left and pulled the ball back. Itamura took a touch to control and another to shoot low, but Chiamaka Nnadozie got down to save.

Liverpool fashioned a great chance to double their advantage on 39 minutes.

A rapid series of passes near halfway sprung Endemann into huge space in Brighton’s half. The No.9 moved in towards goal on an angle and her final finish was blocked behind by Nnadozie.

The hosts appealed for a penalty in the last minute of the half as Sam Kerr landed a sliding tackle on Olaug Tvedten – but the referee judged the Reds player got contact on the ball.

History repeated itself as Liverpool scored in the early moments of the second half.

This was something of a gift as Maisie Symonds’ attempted pass across her own box was misjudged and allowed Kapocs a straightforward strike into an exposed goal.

Brighton awoke in the aftermath and generated their first chance.

A hoisted delivery from the left-hand side was nodded back into the centre and Emilie Joramo tried a first-time volley that she fired over the crossbar.

The Seagulls saw another long-range ball swerve onto the Liverpool woodwork before Kapocs shot just wide of the target at the end of the Reds’ latest neat move.

Kiko Seike would have expected to do better when the home team won possession and it was fed to her to strike, but it was harmlessly wide.

And Liverpool promptly put the game to bed in minute 78.

Nagano slid a pass into the channel for Olsson, who held off Lia Walti and after her first effort was repelled by Nnadozie, tucked home the rebound to seal the three points.

Team

Liverpool: Keating, Kerr, Clark, Fisk (Agrez, 88), Ward (Woodham, 83), Nagano, Maclean, Endemann (Bergstrom, 88), Itamura (Ramos, 59), Kapocs, Olsson.

Unused subs: Kirby, Enderby, Höbinger, Shaw, Trueman.

Next up

It is back to Subway Players Cup action for the Reds next Wednesday (November 18) as they travel to Nottingham Forest.

Kick-off at the City Ground is 7pm GMT. View ticket details here.