Liverpool Women 0-1 Manchester United Women

Article by Lauren Black -@Lauren_Black9Liverpool FC Women kicked off their 2018/19 season today against Manchester United Women but unfortunately it ended in defeat.Liverpool started the game well and within the first two minutes Satara Murray went on a great run beating former Liverpool left-back Alex Greenwood, she managed to find Leighanne Robe at the back post but the defender could not get the ball out of her feet and her effort went just wide. United then answered back straight away with Arnot running at our defence but her shot went wide of the goal.Liverpool had a lot of possession early on and had a few opportunities to go on the attack but the United defence stayed strong, they then had a few chances themselves with a free-kick going wide and Jess Sigsworth shot hit Matthews after Smith crossed the ball into the box. United where on top around the 11 minute mark with Sigsworth having another opportunity to score, this time from a Greenwood corner and she probably should have scored but her header went wide.The Reds struggled to keep hold of possession to start an attack and United where putting them under pressure for a long time but the girls managed to deal with anything that came their way.The Reds continued to threaten throughout the game and had a lot of opportunities but Siobhan Chamberlain wasn’t really tested. The ball did end up in the back of the net after a brilliant corner from Murray, the ball landed in the area and it was a free for all, Fahey eventually put it in the back of the net but the referee had already blew the whistle to indicate a free kick for United after a challenge in the area. Liverpool then looked ot be back on top after that, retaining possession and having a few attacks.Just before half time an Lex Greenwood free-kick was saved by Preuss, United then had another shot saved by the keeper and eventually ended up with a corner.Liverpool had the opportunity to end the first half 1-0 up after S Murray went on a run down the right but she couldn’t find Jess Clarke who was open in the middle of the box. United then went straight back up the other end and it was all of a sudden 3 on 2, the ball then found Sigsworth but Preuss pulled off a brilliant save to deny the forward.Both teams showed a lot of quality in the first half with both of them having plenty of opportunities to put themselves ahead.It was more of the same in the second half. Sweetman-kirk came on at half-time for Kirsty Linett and made an immediate impact having a shot on goal but it went just over the bar, Satara Murray was then replaced by captain Leandra Little after she was challenged by Greenwood.Fahey then had an opportunity from a set piece with a glancing header but it was an easy save for Chamberlain. Liverpool stayed on top for the opening 20 minutes of the first half and had plenty of opportunities to put us ahead.With 15 minutes to go United started to get back into the game and had a few opportunities to score, Preuss pulled off some more good saves to deny them. Little then plays a brilliant ball over the top to Sweetman-Kirk who’s shot went wide of the post.The breakthrough came on 82 minutes but it was for United after Greenwood put in a great ball and Arnolt was at the back post to convert it. The reds seemed to fall to bits for a couple of minutes after that with United then hitting the bar and gaining a corner.Christie Murray then nearly put us level through a brilliant free kick that went right across the face of goal and hit the post.All in all it was a great performance from the Reds, we were unlucky to lose the game but there are plenty of positives to take from the 90 minutes. Credit to Casey Stoney for pulling together this Man Utd team after only 6 weeks and putting on a performance like that. Me and Amy discuss the game on this week’s Liverpool Women’s podcast so keep an eye out for that.Player RatingsAnke Preuss 8Pulled off some brilliant saves to deny Utd going a couple of goals upSatara Murray 8Has everything. Pace, power and speed. Hopefully her injury doesn’t keep her out for a long time.Sophie Bradley-Auckland 8Commanding at RCB. Filled in well for Murray at RWB when she went off.Niamh Fahey 7Did not expect her to start at CB today but she didn’t put a foot wrong throughout the game.Jasmine Matthews 7Put in a good display and handled anything that came her way.Leighanne Robe 8Probably my favourite player in the squad right now. Didn’t put a foot wrong, seemed to tire towards the end but didn’t stop running.Laura Coombs 7Nice to have her back in the starting line-up after picking an injury in pre-season. Nice display and put in a good shift.Rhiannon Roberts  7Same as Coombs. Put in a nice display and there are no negatives about her performance.Christie Murray 8Struggled at first but once she found her feet she was unstoppable. Unlucky to not put us level at the end of the match.Jess Clarke  7Was everywhere, she didn’t stop running. Nice to see in the starting XI too after the injury trouble she had last season.Kirsty Litten  6Only a newcomer to the squad so she is still trying to find her feet in the team.Courtney Sweetman-Kirk 7Lively when she came on, was looking to get a goal straight away and was unfortunate not to score.Leandra Little  – 7Commanding and didn’t put a foot wrong. All that you want from your captain.Yana Daniels – 7really impressed me once she came on, was very lively and got into some good positions.Article by Lauren Black -@Lauren_Black9