Liverpool Women has made history at Anfield after securing its first Merseyside derby victory at the stadium with a dominant 2-0 win over Everton
Beata Olsson of Liverpool celebrates scoring her team’s first goal with teammates during the Barclays Women's Super League clash with Everton
Liverpool secured a Women's Super League win over Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield on Sunday(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Liverpool Women has secured its first ever Merseyside derby win over Everton at Anfield with a 2-0 triumph on Sunday.
It's been a positive start to the campaign for Gareth Taylor's side, with a win over Charlton Athletic on the opening day followed by a fiercely contested draw against Tottenham. The Reds pushed current champions Manchester City all the way a little over a week ago, but two late goals from the manager's former club inflicted a first defeat of the campaign.
But after securing a League Cup triumph midweek, Liverpool has followed it up with another big win this weekend. Against bitter rival Everton, whom it had never beaten at Anfield, the strong start continued.
As Andoni Iraola watched on from the stands, alongside his family and newly appointed sporting director Julian Ward, star striker Beata Olsson opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes. A dangerous corner into the box from Natalia Ramos was expertly headed into the far corner by Olsson.
The first real opening for the visitors came in the first half as Grace Fisk was caught out in possession. Hannah Cain was played through and had to score, but the Wales international couldn't find the target as she skied her effort over the bar, much to the relief of the Liverpool defense.
The second half was much nervier for the Reds as Everton pushed for an equalizer. But Taylor's side looked dangerous with every attack and had ample opportunities to extend its lead.
Ramos, in particular, found herself in numerous goalscoring positions but was unable to find the back of the net with any of her chances. Summer signing Vivien Endemann was also a threat for Liverpool, but her best chance of the game, in which she dinked Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, was cleared off the line by Ruby Mace.
The second goal finally arrived with a little under five minutes left to play. Substitute Alice Bergstrom drilled a low cross into the box, which wasn't dealt with by the Everton defense.
Cornelia Kapocs was able to pick the ball up a couple of yards out and turn before firing into the net from close range. As the clock ticked over into stoppage time, the pressure was lifted for Liverpool as the Reds cruised towards a crucial, historic win.
Anfield had long been a happy hunting ground for the Blues as they'd won all six of their meetings with Liverpool at the iconic stadium. Last season, on the opening day of the WSL campaign, the Toffees dismantled Liverpool 4-1, with then-debutant Ornella Vignola scoring a hat-trick for the visitors.
Liverpool, though, has finally ended its Anfield curse with a dominant display against its bitter rival. Taylor's side had seven attempts on target compared to Everton's three, while it also had a far superior number of touches in the opposition box with 33 to Everton's 13.
The victory means Liverpool leapfrogs Everton in the WSL standings and moves up to fifth, level on seven points with Chelsea. The Reds are next in League Cup action midweek against Birmingham City, which will be followed by a tricky trip to face Manchester United before the international break.