Everton savour victory at Anfield after Preuss error decides close-fought derby
Accompanied by a huge cheer from those of blue persuasion at the final whistle, Everton won a Mersey derby at Anfield.
“It means a lot to the club,” said Everton manager Willie Kirk. “It’s been a while since an Everton team won here.” Indeed, while their men’s side have failed to secure a win at the home of their local rivals this millennium, the women’s team were victorious at the first time of asking.
It was a victory, though, that in truth came about largely as the result of an intervention by Anke Preuss, whose involvement in the only goal of the game was the most calamitous by a Liverpool goalkeeper since Loris Karius at the 2018 Champions League final.
“The only way they were going to get a goal was if we gave them one,” said Liverpool manager Vicky Jepson. “And we did.”
The last Mersey derby in the
Women’s Super League had drawn 1,800 to Prenton Park. But there were 23,500 here. It was an unusual crowd at Liverpool’s home stadium, the normal droves of Norwegian tourists replaced by scores of local families. With admission prices set at £5 for adults and free for children, many were taking advantage of the chance to enjoy a game at a place from which they are normally priced out.
The pity for them was that, unlike the thousands who normally head here to watch their team eviscerate all-comers, there was not much to cheer. While their male counterparts fly unobstructed at
the top of the Premier League, the Liverpool Women’s side sit bottom of the WSL, with just one point.
It was quickly clear what the problem is: Liverpool may dominate the ball, but they just cannot come close to scoring. Heading into the derby, they had got just one goal. And that was from the penalty spot against Bristol City. Their best firsthalf effort was when Kirsty Linnett’s header appeared to be destined for the corner. But keeper Tinja-riikka Korpela brilliantly dived to scoop the ball round the post.
Not that Everton were any more threatening. Kirk had claimed that he was in possession of a more talented squad. There was little evidence of that in the early exchanges, when clearing the ball as far as possible out of defence seemed the limit of the visitors’ ambition.
Until, just after the fourth official had held up the board indicating there was a minute’s added time, Lucy Graham had Everton’s first shot. Struck from well outside the Liverpool area, it did not look anything beyond a speculative strike apparently drifting into the hands of Preuss. But as it travelled it
appeared to have adopted the qualities of a bar of soap and squirmed out of Preuss’s hands to plop over the line. It meant – after just one shot on target – Everton went into the break leading. It also meant Preuss headed for the dressing room in tears, consoled by the Liverpool goalkeeping coach.
Jepson attempted to inject some heft into her forward line, bringing on Rinsola Babajide, who added real urgency. But for all the huff and puff, nothing came of the lungbusting effort. So, it was the most unlikely of outcomes at Anfield: Liverpool lost and remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1) Preuss; Jane, Bradley-auckland, Fahey, Robe; Roberts, Bailey; Charles, Linnett (Hodson 76), Lawley; Sweetman-kirk (Babajide 57). Subs Kitching (g), Kearns, Murray, Rodgers.
Everton (4-2-3-1) Korpela; Morgan, Van Es, George, Stringer (Clemaron 62); Boye-hlorkah, Kaagman (Pike 83); Turner, Magill, Graham; Hughes (Cain 45). Subs Levell (g), Hinds, Brougham, Finnigan. Booked Graham.
Referee Amy Fearn (Leicestershire).