Liverpool Women 1 – 1 Bristol City: Reds held in final home game of 2023
Liverpool FC Women recovered from an early setback to take a draw versus Bristol City, with some excellent goalkeeping denying them an even better result.
Liverpool 1 – 1 Bristol City
Women’s Super League (9), Prenton Park
December 10, 2023
Goals
Threstup 50’ (assist Harrison)
Haug 57’ (assist Hinds)
The Reds entered the final home game of 2023 with plenty of momentum, having thrashed Brighton 4-0 before the international break. It was no surprise that manager Matt Beard named an unchanged XI.
However, it was a rather flat first half at Prenton Park. 0-0 at halftime meant the Reds had kept a first-half clean sheet for the sixth time in nine games. But they’d also failed to score a first-half goal for the sixth time in nine as well.
The deadlock was broken early in the second half, and it was a familiar face who did it. Liverpool conceded a string of corners and, having failed to clear the danger, they allowed former Liverpool striker Amalie Threstup to bundle in the opening goal.
Conceding first provided a spark for the hosts, who sent on forward Melissa Lawley for wingback Emma Koivisto in a positive attacking change. Three minutes later, it paid dividends, with Sophie Román Haug scoring in her second consecutive home game after a smart run to the back post. Taylor Hinds’ excellent delivery got the finish it deserved.
Further changes were made in an attempt to push for a winning goal, with Lawley almost finding her way through five Bristol City defenders with an excellent slaloming run. Both teams had spells searching for the winner, but with the visitors known for the worst defensive record from set pieces in the league, Liverpool forced a succession of corners in the closing stages. One led to a final chance, and Scouse hero Missy-Bo Kearns produced a spectacular effort from range, but Olivia Clark produced an equally world-class save to keep it out and preserve a point for the visitors.
The result leaves Liverpool fifth in the WSL, unbeaten in the last three, and on track to continue their progress during their second season back in the top flight.
AS Player of the Match: Taylor Hinds
Liverpool (3-5-2): Micah; Clark, Bonner, Fisk (Parry 85′); Koivisto (Lawley 54′), Holland (Lundegaard 85′), Hobinger (Kearns 64′), Nagano, Hinds; Van de Sanden (Kiernan 65′), Haug
Subs not used: Laws, Fahey, Daniels, Taylor
Bristol City (5-4-1): Clark; Powell, Layzell, Connolly, Mustaki, Napier; Morgan (Hayles 86′), Rodgers, Syme, Threstup; Harrison (Ward 71′)
Subs not used: Struck, Bull, Woolley, Teisar, Haaland
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
Next match: Everton (A), FA WSL Cup, December 13
