Arsenal Women return to top of Women's Super League…

Arsenal Women return to top of Women's Super League with simple win at Liverpool

Arsenal cruised to the top of the Women's Super League table with a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Liverpool.

The Gunners came to Prenton Park in search of four straight wins to start their WSL campaign, with manager Jonas Eidevall naming the same starting 11 that so callously dispatched Lyon in the UWCL midweek. The North London club could take heart from their previous encounters with Liverpool, having won each of their last six Barclays WSL matches against the Reds, netting 20 times while conceding just three goals.

Despite Liverpool having failed to pick up a point since their opening-day triumph over Chelsea, there was the prospect of a hangover after Arsenal's exploits in France on Wednesday evening. And the hosts certainly came out on the front foot, pressing forwards from the first whistle and winning a flurry of set pieces in front of a record crowd of 3,348 at Prenton Park.

However, Arsenal soon grew into the game. A tantalising cross played across the face of goal just evaded a stretching Caitlin Foord before a superb volley from Lia Walti gave the visitors the lead inside 15 minutes. Under a wave of Arsenal pressure, Liverpool seemed to lose their early composure and quickly found themselves 2-0 down after a goal from Frida Maanum.

The Norwegian was given the nod ahead of Vivianne Miedema this afternoon and repaid her manager's faith in her by slotting the ball past Rachael Laws on 21 minutes.

The visitors could have added to their tally, too, with Caitlin Foord's curling finish careering off the post and captain Kim Little sending a shot well over the bar. To Liverpool's credit, they battled on and had a few decent passages of play without troubling Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.

Again, Liverpool made a bright half to the second half, forcing a save from Manuela Zinsberger after their appeals for a penalty for a handball by Caitlin Foord were waved away by Referee Anthony Backhouse.

But ultimately, Arsenal's quality was too much for Matt Beard's side to overcome. The visitors could have made it three when Caitlin Foord latched on to a beautifully weighted through ball from Beth Mead, but her strike was well saved by Rachael Laws.

Liverpool's defensive resilience in the second half ensured the encounter didn't become something of a demolition job for Arsenal, but the Gunners reaffirmed their position as serious title contenders as they claimed the top spot with league leaders Manchester United in action against Leicester this afternoon.

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