Liverpool 2-0 Everton: Beata Olsson & Cornelia Kapocs end Anfield WSL derby curse
At the sixth time of asking, Liverpool have finally won a Women's Super League Merseyside derby at Anfield for the very first time. It was one of the strangest statistical quirks anywhere in women's football. Despite the fact the two have been generally pretty evenly matched, in terms of league finishes, Everton had previously won all five WSL visits to Anfield, since their first in 2019, scoring 11 goals and conceding only once.
Well, that record has now, belatedly, been shattered. On Sunday, Gareth Taylor's team beat Scott Phelan's side 2-0, in front of watching men's manager Andoni Iraola and his family. The Reds could not have dreamt of a better start, going ahead with just three and a half minutes on the clock. Natalia Ramos' corner was headed home by Beata Olsson, the fastest goals in Merseyside derby WSL history.
In truth, Liverpool dominated from start to finish. Taylor's team racked up an xG figure of 2.26, mustering five big chances and a whopping 33 touches in the Everton box, while Khiara Keating's goal was almost never threatened. However, while there remained only a solitary goal between the teams, those inside Anfield bedecked in red remained anxious.
Nevertheless, that was all lifted four minutes from time when Alice Bergström burst down the right, her cross did not quiet find Olsson but, after a defensive error, Cornelia Kapocs was on hand to slot the ball into Courtney Brosnan's bottom corner. All there Swedes involved in that one. Supporters were jubilant and relieved in equal measure.
This means that Liverpool now have seven points on the board after just four Women's Super League matches, thereby climbing up to fifth in the table. The Reds have previously hammered Charlton and held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw, their sole defeat coming against champions Manchester City, conceding twice in stoppage time at Joie Stadium last Friday night.
Equally as importantly, this win will surely help make Anfield feel like home. The stadium had become something of a major problem for the women's team, not just in Merseyside derbies. Before this win, the Reds had played at Anfield nine times in the WSL, losing eight of them, winning only once. This sole victory coming against Manchester United in March 2025.
The Reds will welcome also Arsenal to Anfield in early-November, as well as taking on Aston Villa at the 62,000 capacity venue in April. Thus, having finally overcome the Anfield hoodoo, they will go into those matches with far greater belief.
Next up for Taylor's team, they will travel to Birmingham City in the WSL Players Cup on Wednesday, before meeting Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village next Saturday. Having made a positive start to the campaign, there are certainly signs that this will be a season to remember.
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