**Arsenal were far from their best at St. Helen’s Stadium, but still managed to get the job done against Liverpool. An early goal from Alessia Russo was enough to scrape the three points for Arsenal in Merseyside.**
The Gunners capitalised on both Chelsea and Manchester City dropping points this weekend as they now close the gap between themselves and second place to just one point. Matt Beard’s side may come away with the fixture with zero points to their name, but some bright glimpses will be a positive takeaway for Liverpool.
The Lineups
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**LIV:** Micah; Fisk, Matthews, Clark; Nagano, Shaw, Holland, Bonner, Hinds; Enderby, Smith
**ARS:** van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Cooney-Cross, Caldentey; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo
The Action
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Liverpool appealed for an early penalty as Katie McCabe put a bump on Gemma Bonner inside of the area. Despite the pleas from the Liverpool players, no penalty was awarded.
Frida Maanum did well to split the lines and locate Alessia Russo on the advance, but the _Gunners_ striker was called for offside.
The hosts started the game with intent, as Olivia Smith was handed an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 11th minute. Despite an awkward bounce, Smith managed to make content and send her striker just over the crossbar.
A bullet corner delivery from McCabe did enough to fluster the Liverpool defence as Alessia Russo fired home the remains to give Arsenal the lead in the 19th minute.
[Embed from Getty Images](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2190070430)
The Gunners were given another opportunity to deliver a blow as Bonner brought down Russo in the box. A contentious penalty was awarded as Mariona Caldentey stepped up to the spot. The Spaniard sent Micah the wrong way, but rattled the post and failed to convert from the spot.
After struggling to regain their momentum, Liverpool nearly equalised through a close call from Gunners defender McCabe. Whilst trying to clear a high cross, McCabe’s towering header nearly trickled in for an own goal before being denied by the goalpost.
Arsenal started the second half on the front foot, as Russo teed up Maanum inside of the area. Despite being almost completely unmarked, the Norwegian fired her strike over the bar and into the stands.
Despite Arsenal holding 63% of the possession, Liverpool did well to stifle the Gunners when they tried to go forward. Matt Beard will be disappointed his side didn’t have the attacking prowess to take a point off an Arsenal side far from their best.
Arsenal Player Ratings
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**Daphne van Domselaar – 7/10 –** Did well in the moments she was called upon, but had a very forgettable moment in the 65th minute as she almost played the ball directly to Olivia Smith for an equaliser.
**Emily Fox – 7/10 –** One of Fox’s more quiet games in an Arsenal shirt, but was far from a bad one. Any blunders can be pinned down to fatigue as the fullback is yet to have a real break away from the pitch after going straight from the NWSL into the WSL last January. Still a positive threat down the right side and strong defensively.
**Leah Williamson – 7/10 –** Struggled in the opening stages as she turned over the ball on multiple occasions, however she regained composure as the game went on and put on a very good showing. The centre-back partnership of herself and Catley is really flourishing.
**Steph Catley – 8/10 –** Saved McCabe on multiple occasions and worked well next to Williamson as usual. Another strong showing from the defender.
**Katie McCabe – 4/10 –** Some haphazard tackles nearly came to Arsenal’s detriment in the opening half. A great corner delivery gave Arsenal the lead in the early stages. Was very lucky not to give Liverpool an equaliser with an own goal miss. A very erratic performance from the Gunners fullback
**Kyra Cooney-Cross – 8/10 –** A strong performance from the Australian midfielder who was very productive each time she was on the ball. In a game of sloppy passes, Cooney-Cross was very strong in that area. Some defensive worries but shaped up well when Little came on the field.
**Mariona Caldentey – 7/10 –** Despite missing her penalty, Mariona was a very commanding presence on the occasion even when playing out of position. Did really well to carry possession and break the lines down.
**Frida Maanum – 5/10 –** Some really wasteful moments from Maanum despite her recent form. Struggled to get into the game.
**Beth Mead – 6/10 –** Had some bright moments but struggled to really make an impact on the ball.
**Caitlin Foord – 5/10 –** Lacked her usual technical prowess and struggled to come up against Taylor Hinds.
**Alessia Russo – 8/10 –** Russo is at her very best, scoring her ninth goal in 10 games for Arsenal. The striker did well to draw a penalty, and worked really well off the ball to draw her defenders.
### Substitutes
**Stina Blackstenius – 5/10 –** Struggled to make an impact after being subbed on in the 57th minute.
**Kim Little – 7/10 –** A really impressive cameo from the Gunners skipper. Helped Arsenal regain composure in the central areas.
**Lina Hurtig – N/A**
**Lotte Wubben-Moy – N/A**