WSL: Liverpool stun Arsenal in front of record WSL attendance
Liverpool defeated Arsenal 1-0 on the first day of the new season in front of a record-breaking WSL crowd.
Liverpool absorbed Arsenal's pressure and punished the hosts in front of the division's largest-ever crowd of 54,115 at the Emirates Stadium to secure a memorable opening-day victory.
Arsenal had more than 60% of the ball but only three shots on target in the 90 minutes as they suffered their third consecutive WSL defeat without scoring, following losses to Chelsea and Aston Villa at the end of last season.
Mimi Taylor's goal three minutes into the second half was enough to give the visitors three points. Taylor, a January signing for the Reds, pounced on Missy Bo Kearns' cross to score the game's lone goal, rewarding the visitors' resilient and organized performance, who won away from home in the WSL for the first time since January 2020.
Last season, the Reds finished seventh, four places and 24 points behind their opponents, but they secured a surprise opening day victory for the second year in a row after defeating eventual champions Chelsea at the start of 2022-23.
"It's been a tough and challenging week with a great end to it," Liverpool manager Matt Beard said after the win.
"Defensively, we were outstanding. We weren't lucky - we put our bodies on the line. [Rachael] Lawsy was outstanding," Beard added.
Arsenal applied almost all of the pressure in the first half, but Reds goalkeeper Laws clawed out Lotte Wubben-Moy's header with an impressive reflex save as they resisted wave after wave of crosses into the box under the animated guidance of manager Beard.
Liverpool captain Taylor Hinds almost scored during her team's best spell of the first half as the Reds gained confidence, but Jen Beattie made a crucial block after goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger spilled a cross. Kearns then curled an eye-catching free-kick narrowly wide, causing Zinsberger to worry once more.
Frida Maanum's powerful strike was deflected over the crossbar by Laws, and substitute Victoria Pelova's close-range strike was alertly blocked by Gemma Bonner.
England forward Alessia Russo had a frustrating afternoon, with only one shot on goal and three touches inside the penalty area before being replaced in the second half as her team battled for an equalizer.
Arsenal are expected to compete for the WSL title this season and will be devastated to have begun with an unexpected defeat. The Gunners travel to Manchester United on Friday, while Liverpool host Aston Villa on Sunday in their first home game of the season.
SportsLigue