Beata Olsson celebrates scoring during the Adobe Women's FA Cup Fifth Round match between Liverpool and Everton on February 22, 2026(Image: Jess Hornby - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Liverpool survived a second half fightback from Everton to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup with a 2-1 win at Brewdog Stadium in St Helens.
The Reds took the lead on 34 minutes with a brave header from Mia Enderby, who was injured following a collision in the process of scoring. Her replacement, Beata Olsson, then doubled their advantage on 45 minutes with another close-range effort.
Gareth Taylor’s side could have been out of sight after going close on several more occasions early in the second half but their failure to capitalise on their dominance allowed the Blues to reduce arrears when substitute Aurora Galli’s low shot rebounded into the goal off keeper Jennifer Falk.
But Liverpool held on and now take their place in the last eight. And here's how we rated both teams...
**Jennifer Falk 4**
Had dealt with everything that came her way before making a hash of Aurora Galli’s low strike as the ball rebounded off her and into her own net.
**Risa Shimizu 7**
Energetic display, carrying the ball forwards from wide.
**Alejandra Bernabe 7**
Strong performance against some of Everton’s more dangerous threats.
**Jenna Clark 7**
Tower of strength at the back while also elegant in possession, she was denied by close range by Courtney Brosnan.
**Grace Fisk 7**
The home captain looked comfortable on the ball, carrying the ball out from defence.
**Cornelia Kapocs 7**
A willing runner throughout down the right wing.
**Fuka Nagano 7**
Often the starting points of forays forward as a deep-lying playmaker.
**Denise O’Sullivan 7**
Kept Everton on their toes with a lively display.
**Mia Enderby 8**
Had a low shot that went wide when played into space but made no mistake with a brave close-range header to put Liverpool ahead, getting hurt in the process and being stretchered off.
**Martha Thomas 7**
Denied when she saw a header tipped over the bar, she was a livewire throughout.
**Ceri Holland 9**
Put in a series of dangerous crosses from both open play and set-pieces and it was her delivery that provided the assist for the opening goal, while putting in the free-kick cross for the second.
**Substitutes**
**Beata Olsson (on 39 for Enderby) 8**
Replaced the injured Enderby who was forced off putting Liverpool ahead but then helped herself to a close-range effort as her predatory finish doubled the hosts’ lead while she was denied a second by a smart save by Brosnan.
**Aurelie Csillag (on 81 for Thomas)**
Late outing as Liverpool looked for fresh legs.
**Courtney Brosnan 8**
Will have been disappointed not to have kept out Liverpool’s opener but helped keep the score down in the second half with a string of smart saves, including a spectacular stop to deny Olsson a second.
**Hannah Blundell 5**
Had a tough time against the tricky Holland who was a constant threat with her crosses.
**Hikaru Kitagawa 6**
Most of the trouble for Everton seemed to come down the other flank, but along with the rest of her defence she spent most of her time on the back foot before her late effort.
**Ruby Mace 6**
Some cool defending under pressure at times but picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon with what was the ninth free-kick they’d conceded.
**Martina Fernandez 5**
Needed to be more dominant in her area as Liverpool dominated the six-yard box.
**Yuka Momiki 6**
A bundle of energy in the first half, she looked a threat with her corner-kicks and hammered a powerful shot wide but did not re-emerge after the break.
**Clare Wheeler 6**
Lots of hard running but not much came off.
**Honoka Hayashi 7**
Tenacious display in the engine room from the diminutive player.
**Ornella Vignola 5**
Everton’s debutant hat-trick hero at Anfield back in September but slim pickings for her today.
**Rosa van Gool 5**
The Dutch schemer has also produced strong displays in derbies in the past but couldn’t find a way through here, leaving proceedings at the break.
**Imma Gabarro 6**
Flashed a shot wide across the face of goal in the second half which proved to be her final action.
**Substitutes**
**Zara Kramzar (on 46 for van Gool) 7**
Dogged second half performance, she added determination and physicality to Everton’s play.
**Melissa Lawley (on 46 for Momiki) 6**
Tried to inject some energy into proceedings but some of her passing was off.
**Toni Payne (on 66 for Gabarro) 7**
Had a bit more about her when she came on, adding a new dimension to the attack.
**Aurora Galli (on 66 for Vignola) 7**
Her shot rebounded off the post, hit Jennifer Falk and went into the net to ensure a nervy finish for the hosts.
**Kelly Gago (on 78 for Hayashi)**
Brought on as Everton pushed for an equaliser.