Although the Blues had cancelled out Asisat Oshoala’s opener through Nikita Parris, the hosts secured the win through Line Smorgard’s 57th-minute header at the Select Security Stadium to leapfrog their visitors in the table.
In truth, this defeat could have been heavier – if the home side were more clinical in front of goal. After the hosts had retaken their lead, they rarely looked like relinquishing it and once again, City were left to rue a lack of creativity in the final third.
It was the same story as Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.
Aside from the banned Jill Scott, manager Nick Cushing opted to field the same side that hosted the Gunners, with Krystle Johnston marking her birthday with a start. Alex Brooks kept her place in goal, despite the return of Karen Bardsley from suspension.
The England goalkeeper was named on the bench, together with Jennifer Beattie captained the side, while Lucy Bronze – named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year with Scott and Parris – faced her former club for the first time since joining the Blues.
Just a point separated the sides before kick-off and there was little between the two in the first moments of the clash.
Neither were able to retain possession in the opening exchanges, with Beattie’s driven free-kick the first real chance of the game.
The decisive moment of the first period occurred on ten minutes, when the visitors – possibly unsighted by the sunlight – failed to clear a Liverpool corner and Oshoala, lurking at the back post, was on hand to bundle the ball home for her second of the season.
City responded well to falling behind but struggled to create any clear-cut chances. Parris and Toni Duggan both tried their luck from range to no avail, with their efforts lacking the pace and accuracy to trouble Libby Stout in the Reds goal.
As was the case last weekend, Cushing’s side were found lacking in the final third and were unable to dominate possession the way they had in previous games. Liverpool meanwhile – Oshoala in particular – looked a constant threat on the counter attack.
The disappointment of the first 45 minutes was summed up moments before the break when Duggan blazed over a first-time shot after the ball – for once – had fallen kindly in and around the box.
After the restart and with their manager’s half-time team talk fresh in their minds, City started brightly and sought a more direct approach – and it paid off with the equaliser.
It was the in-form Parris who scored it on 53 minutes and she certainly enjoyed her fifth of the season.
City were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position when Natasha Harding was felled and – just as she did against Birmingham in the FA Women’s Cup – Isobel Christiansen executed the perfect delivery for Parris to head into the back of the net, much to the Everton loanee’s delight!
Christiansen could have turned the game on its head moments later but as Duggan had in the first half, blasted over the bar.
The respite didn’t last long though as Liverpool rallied and regained their advantage through a header of their own, as Smorsgard rose to meet Oshoala’s cross.
Matters could have been made worse for City shortly after when Oshoala combined well will Fara Williams, only for the latter to shoot straight at Brooks. Minutes later, she would repeat that feat, forcing the young shot-stopper to gather at the second attempt.
Smorsgard then almost netted her second of the evening but volleyed Martha Harris’ delivery wide as the hosts’ search for a two-goal cushion continued.
In a bid to rescue the game for his side, Cushing introduced Houghton and Natasha Flint into the fray but although it was a real positive to see the skipper back in action, neither could inspire their side to find another leveller.
Parris went closest to clinching one with three minutes of normal time remaining but her half-volley flew just wide.
Next up for City is their FA Women’s Cup semi-final with high-flying Chelsea Ladies. Ticket information can be found here.
