Last January, Liverpool suffered a humiliating 6-0 away defeat against Manchester United. Fast forward nearly a year later, and they’ve completed a historic comeback to beat their rivals for the first time in the Women’s Super League.
Matt Beard made a few changes from the Red’s midweek derby victory in the Continental Cup, which was a fantastic opportunity for non-starting players such as Lucy Parry to play a full 90 minutes. With Rachael Laws not included in the squad, Australian goalkeeper Teagan Micah was awarded her third WSL start of the season. Liverpool also changed tactically, reverting to a backline of five with wingbacks Taylor Hinds and Emma Koivisto coming back into the starting eleven, as well as centre-back Gemma Bonner. Japanese international Fuka Nagano also returned to the midfield.
Mark Skinner also made multiple changes after Manchester United’s midweek victory against Leicester. Mary Earps returned behind the sticks, and Jayde Riviere replaced Gemma Evans in the back line. Hayley Ladd joined Zelem and Toone in midfield, and United had a full change in their attacking trio of Nikita Parris, Leah Galton and Melvine Malard.
In the first ten minutes, it looked as if the game was heading in a completely different trajectory as Manchester United started on the front foot. The Red Devils took the lead after just three minutes with Leah Galton’s effort hitting the post and falling right into the path of Ella Toone, who slotted it into the back of the net. United continued to dominate as just a minute later, Melvine Malard looked set to double the host’s lead as she dragged the ball around Teagan Micah, but hit the side netting.
After a shaky start, Liverpool grew in confidence and got into the game. Just after the 30 minute mark the Reds grabbed the equaliser – a trademark Melissa Lawley run down the wing and crossed into Emma Koivisto, where it travelled across the net and into the bottom left-hand corner. While there were some appeals for a Koivisto handball, the replay clearly showed the ball had come of the head of Millie Turner and into her own net.
Mark Skinner made the attacking changes of Rachel Williams, Lucía García and Geyse Ferreira in the hopes that these fresh legs could change the score-line, as they have done many times before. But the goal gave Liverpool the momentum, and this only continued after bringing on Shanice Van De Sanden and Marie Höbinger after the hour mark. Matt Beard’s choice and timing of subs certainly made all the difference, with Van De Sanden winning the Reds a corner after her run down the wing, taken over from Melissa Lawley, and Höbinger’s pin-point delivery fell right to captain Taylor Hinds who slotted the ball into the net, giving Liverpool the lead. A fantastic team goal, but not without questioning Manchester United’s defence – how they allowed the ball to travel all the way to reach Hinds. United had struggled with Liverpool’s set-pieces all game; knowing Sophie Roman-Haug’s aerial ability, she was so tightly marked but this just opened space for other players such as Hinds to tap the ball home.
Later in the game saw a nasty collision between Gemma Bonner and Rachel Williams where Bonner fell to the ground and did not move, and was quickly attended to by both medical teams. After a lengthy break in play, she was awake and talking, able to walk off the pitch with what looked like a worrying head injury. After the game, Matt Beard reported that she was okay and talking yet had no recollection of the incident, and would presumably be assessed in hospital. Bonner has been one of Liverpool’s stand-out players this season, the experienced centre-back absolutely fundamental to their optimistic start to this WSL season. The Christmas break has absolutely come at the right time for Bonner, allowing her to rest and recover for however long she needs.
Teagan Micah made a crucial save late on to prevent a United equaliser, after Lucía García in the box set up Hannah Blundell, whose left-footed shot was palmed away by the Australian goalkeeper, and cleared by Taylor Hinds.
Liverpool held on for twelve minutes of stoppage time as Manchester United desperately tried to salvage a point at home. However they just could not get past Liverpool who stayed composed and organised despite the constant threats. The final whistle brought celebrations for the travelling fans and a landmark occasion for their first Super League Win against their top rivals, but frustration for the home side as they would have previewed this game as not an easy, but an expected, win.
Manchester United head into the winter break in fourth place, having dropped points in five games so far this season. It’s a positive start, but for a team that pushed Chelsea all the way to the final day last season, narrowly missing out on the title, United need to do much more to get their hands on the trophy this spring. They’ve had comfortable victories such as against Tottenham, but frustrating draws to lower-sitting teams Brighton and Leicester and a defeat to Manchester City have shown their inconsistencies in performances so far. It’s a massive first game back for the Reds in January as they take on top of the table and current champions Chelsea. A win would make a real statement about their ambitions to contend for the title.
Liverpool will be the happier team in the winter break as they sit in a comfortable fifth place, joint on points with Manchester United but with a smaller goal difference, having won five games so far. Compared to this time last season, the Reds were ten points poorer and sat in ninth place. Since returning to the WSL, Liverpool’s growth has been exciting to watch. Although they were certain to not be defined by their 6-0 loss last season, comparing it to a narrow 1-0 defeat last spring and then a 2-1 victory is certainly symbolic of the Reds finding their feet in the league and growing in confidence. As Matt Beard voiced in the post-match team talk, this team are good enough to compete at this top level and just need to continue believing in themselves.
The Reds have already gone beyond expectations, beating Arsenal on the opening day to set the tone for the season – top clubs cannot underestimate them. Liverpool’s away form has especially improved, going from not winning a single game away last season to now beating two big clubs on their own turf. Their summer signings have had a fundamental impact on the team; players like Jenna Clark and Grace Fisk giving Liverpool composure and stability at the back, while pushing the competition for starting places. The return of players from long-term injuries such as Melissa Lawley, Shanice Van De Sanden and Leanne Kiernan has also been a huge boost for the Reds. It’s this that have given them the squad depth that Liverpool didn’t have last season, having quality players on the bench eager to come on and make a difference. This has allowed them to continue the concentration and momentum for full games, and as we saw, the Reds stayed in clutch control ever since their equaliser.
Taylor Hinds will be delighted to find the back of the net, but she brings so much more to this Liverpool team than goals. Hinds really grown into captaincy role since Niamh Fahey has been out injured. You can see what it means, especially against such a big rival. After the match, in an interview with BBC Sport, she said,
“We went into this with all guns blazing. You can see how happy we are, how happy our fans are and that meant everything to us”.
Matt Beard’s Reds head into Christmas on a high. Like United, it’s a tough first game back in the WSL as they take on Manchester City away, but they’ll approach the game quietly confident, knowing that if they play their best they have a good chance against any top team.
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