Liverpool Women held on to beat Everton Women 2-1 in a rare derby win that saw them reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, thanks to goals from Mia Enderby and top scorer Beata Olsson.
Liverpool Women 2-1 Everton Women
FA Cup Fifth Round, St Helens Stadium
February 22, 2026
Goals: Enderby 34′, Olsson 45′; Falk (og.) 72′
After beating fourth-tier London Bees 6-0 in the previous round, Liverpool were in action at the St Helens Stadium on Sunday afternoon looking to win their first non-League Cup derby for seven years.
Manager Gareth Taylor lined up his team up with a midfield five, Ceri Holland and Mia Enderby playing on the left and right flanks respectively.
It was the former where the Reds had most success, the majority of their good play coming from captain Grace Fisk threading passes into Holland and new signing Denise O’Sullivan, who frequently used Alejandra Bernabe to her left.
ST HELENS, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 16, 2025: Liverpool's captain Grace Fisk takes a throw-in during the FA Women’s Super League match between Liverpool FC Women and Chelsea FC Women at the St Helens Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Right-winger Enderby had the first meaningful shot, side-footing from the edge of the box just wide of goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan’s left post, 20 minutes in.
Everton retained a threat and grew into the half. Liverpool ‘keeper Jennifer Falk was quick off her line on a couple of occasions to prevent dangerous one-on-one opportunities.
The visitors were improving and Yuka Momiki was growing in presence, cutting onto her left foot from the Everton right and causing trouble.
However, it was Liverpool who struck first thanks to the bravery of Enderby.
Mia Enderby takes the lead for Liverpool and takes a hit from the goalkeeper in the process
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2026
In the 34th minute, Falk cleared upfield which led to striker Martha Thomas winning a loose ball and moving it left to Holland.
Meanwhile, Enderby was sprinting forward on the far side – and Holland spotted her. The Welsh international delivered a brilliant cross to the back post where Enderby met it and prodded the ball over the line.
In the process of scoring, though, the 20-year-old collided with the goalkeeper and was forced off on a stretcher with a worrying injury as a result.
Ten minutes later, Enderby’s replacement, Beata Olsson, made her mark by doubling the Reds’ lead.
Beata Olsson pokes it home to give @LiverpoolFCW a second just before half-time! ?
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— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) February 22, 2026
After Liverpool were arguably incorrectly awarded a free-kick on the left, Holland delivered another deadly ball from a similar position, that Liverpool’s top scorer scrambled over the line at the near post.
Half time: Liverpool Women 2-0 Everton Women
Everton coach Scott Phelan made two changes as he brought off Zara Kramzar and Momiki for Rosa van Gool and former Liverpool player Melissa Lawley.
Despite the alterations, the hosts remained a threat, particularly off set-pieces. The Reds nearly scored twice from corners; Jenna Clark’s nudge towards goal came especially close to a Liverpool third.
Off the pitch, Enderby thankfully emerged from the tunnel to take her place in the stands, but she was hobbling and on crutches.
With 65 minutes played Everton made another double change, bringing on Aurora Galli and striker Toni Payne for Inma Gabarro and Ornella Vignola.
The ball bounces off Jennifer Faulk and into her own net ?
Everton Women pull one back against against Liverpool ?
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2026
This time, the changes soon made an impact, Galli helping to pull one back for the Blues in fortuitous fashion. The substitute struck from the edge of the box and Falk tipped onto her left-hand post, but the ball ricocheted off the woodwork, onto her back and into the net.
Moments later, Phelan made his final switch, sending on Kelly Gago for Honoka Hayashi. Soon after, Taylor made his first Liverpool swap which saw Aurelie Csillag come on for Thomas up top.
The game turned into an end-to-end affair and Olsson could have won it, but her effort from inside the box as was well saved by Brosnan with four minutes of the 90 remaining.
Tempers even flared when Clark got into an altercation with the Everton goalkeeper which resulted in them both being booked.
By full time, it was actually Liverpool who were creating the better chances and they were good value for their victory.
Barring two League Cup successes, this was the first time since 2019 that Liverpool had beaten Everton, having not won a WSL derby in their last eight attempts.
While last weekend’s defeat at Chelsea was a reminder of the chasm in quality between them and the league’s top tems, Liverpool are on the up after a difficult first half of the campaign on and off the pitch.
The draw for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup takes place on Monday evening, with Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea all possible opponents.
Player of the match: Jenna Clark
Liverpool Women: Falk; Clark, Fisk, Bernabe; Nagano, O’Sullivan, Kapocs; Enderby (Olsson 39′), Holland, Thomas (Csillag 81′)
Subs not used: Laws, Kirby, Evans, Bonner, Woodham, McDonald, Trueman
Next match: Leicester Women (H) – WSL – Sunday, March 15, 11.55am (GMT)