Liverpool 1-3 Arsenal
By Damion Arnold (16/5/26)
Above: Alessia Russo (right) and Victoria Pelova (left) celebrating the third Arsenal goal. Photo: Arsenal Website
First-half goals from Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey saw Arsenal hold onto all three points against Liverpool. The possibility of a late comeback seemed doable as Liverpool’s Zara Shaw got one back with 15 minutes left to play.
The first 20 minutes saw Arsenal dominate a large percentage of possession with Liverpool doing well to keep the score level.
However, after a lapse in concentration, the Gunners took the lead in the 21st minute. Russo’s cross into the box sailed through a sea of bodies and found the Liverpool net.
Five minutes later, Stina Blackstenius saw her effort saved well by Jennifer Falk.
In the 31st minute, Falk was forced to produce another save after Russo took a shot from the edge of the box.
That save resulted in a corner, which led to Arsenal scoring their second goal. After a one-two with Katie McCabe, Caldentey ran towards the Liverpool goal at an angle. With space given to her, she struck the ball into the top left corner from close range.
Russo scored her second goal of the game in the 37th minute. Victoria Pelova’s cross found Russo in the box. Her first-time shot beat Falk and nestled into the top right corner.
Not a great deal happened between the 46th minute and the 70th minute. Liverpool was defending deep and allowing Arsenal the ball.
This defensive discipline was awarded as Liverpool scored in the 74th minute. A corner ball into the box was not cleared well and a scramble occurred around the six-yard box. With a flurry of legs flying about, the ball flew into the Arsenal goal with Shaw being credited with the final touch.
With their clean sheet gone, Arsenal retained control of the game as they had some brilliant chances, but they were unable to convert any.
This loss for Liverpool means they finished 11th in the Women’s Super League with 17 points. As for the Gunners, they finished second on 51 points securing themselves a Champions League Qualification spot.
Lineups: Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Falk, Enderby, Clark, Fisk, Bernabe, Nagano, MacLean, Josendal, O’Sullivan, Bergstrom, Olsson. SUBS: Bonner, Csillag, Evans, Holland, Kapocs, Kirby, Shaw, Shimizu, Trueman.
Yellow cards: N/A
Goalscorers: Shaw 74’
Arsenal (4-4-2): van Domselaar, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe, Caldentey, Pelova, Mead, Blackstenius, Foord, Russo. SUBS: Borbe, Catley, Hinds, Holmberg, Kelly, Maanum, Little, Smith, Williamson.
Yellow cards: Wubben-Moy 40’
Goalscorers: Russo 21’ 37’, Caldentey 32’
Referee: Emily Heaslip
Attendance: TBC
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