City edged out by Liverpool on Merseyside

Despite a bright start at Prenton Park, the hosts took the lead through Natasha Dowie, but we deservedly equalised before the interval through Lauren Hemp’s header.

But against a Reds side looking to confirm their safety in the division, Liverpool grabbed the decisive strike through Missy Bo Kearns early in the second half.

City pressed forward in search of the equaliser, with Hemp striking the bar and both Alex Greenwood and Esme Morgan sending efforts just wide, but it was to no avail, dealing our WSL title prospects a significant blow.

WHAT HAPPENED

The fixture represented the third meeting between the sides this season after Taylor’s team had recorded wins over Liverpool in the league (2-1) and the Continental Cup (2-0) earlier in 2022/23.

And City almost made the perfect start when Laura Coombs intercepted Faye Kirby’s under-hit pass out from defence, but the Liverpool goalkeeper made amends by producing a smart save to tip our midfielder’s goalbound dink over the bar.

But, against the run of play, the hosts took the lead in the 16th minute when Natasha Dowie instinctively cut out a Coombs back pass to Ellie Roebuck and slotted past our ‘keeper.

DOWNLOAD THE MAN CITY APP

Ahead of the trip to Merseyside, Taylor had stated he believes Chloe Kelly is enjoying her best football since joining the Club in 2021.

So, perhaps it wasn’t a surprise when the England winger was the architect of our equaliser, dancing to the touchline and whipping a cross towards the back post where Hemp’s powerful header flew across the keeper and into the net.

It was no more than City deserved before the break, but shortly after the interval, the hosts restored their lead when Missy Bo Kearns lost her marker and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Liverpool were clearly buoyed by their second of the afternoon and, rather fortuitously, almost extended their advantage when Emma Koivisto’s floated cross from the right kissed the left post before City cleared.

As a result, Taylor introduced Deyna Castellanos and Hayley Raso from the bench in an attempt to turn the tide.

The latter had scored the winner in our 2-1 success in the reverse fixture at the Academy Stadium in October, and she almost made an instant impact by weaving down the wing and teeing up Kelly, whose shot from the edge of the area was blocked.

City continued to press forward in search of the leveller, with Greenwood flashing an effort just wide of the far post from the edge of the area soon after Kelly’s effort.

In the latter stages we pushed for an equaliser and it almost arrived when Hemp chested the ball down and unleashed a stinging volley which bounced off the under side of the bar.

And there was still time for one last City chance, with Morgan’s effort on the turn dropping agonisingly wide of the post after a corner had caused alarm bells in the Liverpool defence.

The England international’s attempt proved to be our last clear sight of goal as a second in Tranmere evaded us.

HOW WE LINED UP

Ellie Roebuck was protected in goal by a back four of Kerstin Casparij, Steph Houghton, Alex Greenwood and Esme Morgan.

Yui Hasegawa anchored our midfield behind Filippa Angeldahl and Laura Coombs.

And Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw led the line in-between wingers Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly.

City XI: Roebuck, Casparij (Raso 61’), Houghton (C), Greenwood, Morgan, Hasegawa, Angeldahl (Castellanos 61’), Coombs, Hemp (Ouahabi 90+6), Bunny Shaw, Kelly

Substitutes: Keating, Stokes Dahou

Liverpool XI: Kirby, Koivisto, Roberts, Matthews, Kearns (Taylor 76’), Nagand, Hinds, Holland, Bonner (Van de Sanden 50’), Stengel, Dowie

Substitutes: Laws, Robe, Fahey, Kiernan, Lundgaard, Humphrey, Cumings.

WHAT IT MEANS

We remain second in the WSL table on 44 points despite the defeat to Liverpool.

UP NEXT

Next up is a potentially crucial Manchester derby as City lock horns with Marc Skinner’s side on Sunday 21 May at Leigh Sports Village.

BUY MANCHESTER DERBY TICKETS HERE

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:45 (UK) and, as ever, there will be detailed coverage across mancity.com and the official Man City app.