NewsWSL match report: Liverpool beaten by Leicester at King Power Stadium

Gareth Taylor’s team were consigned to a second consecutive loss at the beginning of the season, with Emily van Egmond’s headed goal the difference at King Power Stadium.

That effort came on the cusp of the hour mark and just three minutes after the home team were reduced to 10 players as Shannon O’Brien received a second yellow card.

Liverpool had claimed control of the ball from the off and were the more confident side as they probed for a way through Leicester.

Gemma Bonner nodded a header wide from a hoisted free-kick to the back post early on, Mia Enderby was blocked at the edge of the box and a low Marie Höbinger hit was straight at the goalkeeper.

The visitors’ possession figure rose as high as 75 per cent, though genuine openings were limited.

Their next sighter arrived in minute 24, Cornelia Kapocs – not for the first time – attacking the byline on the left and sending in a troublesome cross. Eventually it fell loose to Enderby, whose drive at goal was a comfortable take for Janina Leitzig.

And the remainder of the first half passed by in much the same vein, Höbinger dragging a left-footed effort off target from 20 yards in its closing minutes.

In first-half added time, though, fortune almost favoured the Foxes.

O’Brien guided an excellent diagonal pass over the top for Asmita Ale and as the latter was confronted by the Reds, the ball quickly rebounded off her and towards goal – and just wide of the post.

Taylor switched Ceri Holland in for Enderby, who had sustained a knock during the first half, at the interval.

There was little goalmouth action immediately after the restart, but the complexion of the match altered significantly in a short spell ahead of the hour mark.

First, O’Brien was shown a second yellow card – seemingly for dissent towards the referee – and therefore dismissed.

Leicester promptly took the lead, however, with Van Egmond picked out by Janice Cayman’s curling cross into the box and redirecting a looping header into the roof of the net.

Taylor shuffled his options from the bench as the Reds sought a route back into the game, yet they were largely foiled in that regard.

Sophie Roman Haug had Leitzig scurrying along the line to claw out her downward header, Gemma Evans having floated a good ball onto the Norwegian’s head.

Perhaps Liverpool’s best chance arrived in the first minute of stoppage time. Another substitute, Kirsty Maclean, shrugged off two opponents to reach the area and sent in a rising shot that was too high.

Team

Liverpool: Kirby, Fisk, Bonner, Clark (Shimizu, 75), Evans, Nagano, Kerr (Maclean, 60), Höbinger, Enderby (Holland, 46), Olsson (Roman H., 75), Kapocs (Kiernan, 89).

Unused subs: Borggrafe, Parry, Szymczak, Lundgaard.

Next up

Liverpool are on the road in the WSL again next weekend, visiting Aston Villa.

Kick-off at Villa Park on Sunday September 21 is 12pm BST – away ticket and free coach travel details can be found at liverpoolfc.com/tickets/tickets-availability.