Table of Contents
Manchester City extended their perfect start to the Women’s Super League season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. Iman Beney equalised midway through the second half before Aoba Fujino’s late strike sealed the points for Andrée Jeglertz’s side in front of a sell-out crowd of 23,157 the largest attendance for a WSL match at the historic venue. The result moves City three points clear at the top of the table after six games, maintaining their 100% record and remarkable defensive run, having won every match without conceding until now. Liverpool, led by Gareth Taylor, slip to eighth following a third defeat of the campaign but can take positives from a spirited first-half display that promised more.
Match statistics
| Statistic | Liverpool | Man City |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 35% | 65% |
| Shots (on target) | 2 (2) | 13 (8) |
| Big chances | 1 | 3 |
| Corners | 1 | 4 |
| Fouls | 3 | 9 |
| Yellow cards | 0 | 1 |
| Passes | 341 | 627 |
| Accurate Passes | 250 | 538 |
Match Report
The game burst into life at Anfield, with City’s attacking intent evident from the off. Shaw was flagged offside inside the first minute, but it set the tone for a first half littered with chances for the visitors. Miedema went closest midway through the period, her right-footed effort from the right side of the box palmed away by Borggrafe, who was alert again seconds later to deny a follow-up strike from the same player. Casparij also tested the Liverpool keeper centrally soon after. Liverpool, marshalled by a back five, absorbed the pressure well, with Gemma Bonner and Grace Fisk standing firm against Shaw’s aerial threat. A rare foray forward led to City’s fourth corner in the 22nd minute, but Hobinger’s injury moments later disrupted the hosts’ rhythm the Austrian winger stretchered off after a heavy challenge. The Reds managed just one shot across the half, failing to truly threaten. The breakthrough arrived seven minutes into the second half. Holland’s in swinging cross from the right found Kapocs unmarked at the back post, the Hungarian forward powering a shot into the net to send the Anfield faithful into raptures. It was Liverpool’s second goal in six games of WSL action and a testament to their set-piece threat. City responded swiftly, Greenwood’s mistimed challenge on Enderby earned her a yellow card, but Jeglertz’s side levelled on 64 minutes when Beney stole in at the far post to volley home after Shaw’s header was saved only as far as the edge of the six-yard box. The equaliser sparked a frantic end-to-end spell, with Borggrafe at full stretch to tip Shaw’s low drive around the post.The winner came in the 86th minute, Fujino cutting inside from the right and unleashing a low right-footed shot into the bottom corner, teed up by Lohmann’s clever through-ball. Liverpool pushed late, Holland’s 97th-minute free kick from 25 yards palmed away by Ayaka Yamashita, but City held firm through six minutes of added time. Bonner was caught offside from a desperate cross in the dying seconds, her goal ruled out and sealing a gritty away win.
Tactical Analysis
Jeglertz’s Manchester City exemplified their blend of control and cutting edge, using a compact 4-2-3-1 to recycle possession at 86% accuracy and probe Liverpool’s deep block. The double pivot of Yui Hasegawa and Blindkilde allowed Beney and Fujino licence to roam, with the latter’s decisive finish capping a performance full of direct runs. City’s quick transitions after the break created 39 touches in Liverpool’s box, turning the screw and exploiting half-spaces on the left flank, as noted in coverage of their high press forcing turnovers. Taylor’s Liverpool, prioritising solidity in a 5-4-1, frustrated City for 52 minutes but were undone by lapses in concentration post-goal. Their low possession invited pressure, yielding just one corner, though Holland’s delivery proved the difference. The Reds have now dropped six points from winning positions this season more than any other side with Hobinger’s early exit exposing midfield fragility and hampering transitions, allowing City’s press to force errors leading to both goals
Player of the Match: Fujino ( Manchester City ). For her match-winning contribution, earning her player of the match.
Lineups
Liverpool (5-4-1): Borggrafe; Holland, Fisk (c), Bonner, Clark, Evans; Kerr (Haug 93), Nagano, Hobinger (Maclean 26), Kapocs; Enderby
Manager: Gareth Taylor
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Greenwood (c), Ouahabi (Layzell 94); Hasegawa, Blindkilde (Lohmann 83); Beney, Miedema (Coombs 61), Fujino; Shaw
Manager: Andrée Jeglertz
City’s Fifth successive win keeps them firmly in control of the title race, with Fujino’s emergence and Lohmann’s impact from the bench highlighting their depth. For Liverpool, the result adds pressure after a bad start to the season. Taylor’s side sit bottom of the table as they share same points with West-Ham united, will need to sharpen their attacking edge ahead of their next outing against lower-table opposition to grab their first win.
