Lia Walti hailed an “experienced” Arsenal performance as the midfielder helped the Gunners cruise to a 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Liverpool in the Women’s Super League.
The Switzerland captain put the visitors ahead within 15 minutes in front of a record crowd at Prenton Park, firing a sweetly struck volley past a helpless Rachael Laws in goal. Arsenal travelled to Merseyside looking to make it four straight wins to start their WSL campaign, with manager Jonas Eidevall naming the same starting lineup that callously dispatched Lyon in the UEFA Women's Champions League in midweek.
The North London club could take heart from their previous encounters with Liverpool, having won each of their last six WSL matches against the Reds, netting 20 times while conceding just three goals. And, after a bright start for the hosts, Arsenal quickly grew into the game.
A tantalising cross played across the face of goal just evaded a stretching Caitlin Foord before both Walti and Norway international Frida Maanum struck in quick succession to put Jonas Eidevall’s side two goals to the good.
“I don’t think any of us thought this was going to be an easy game,” Walti told the Mirror after the final whistle.
“We played them last year here and won 4-0 but I think the game was not a 4-0 game and we actually struggled with their man marking system so we knew this was going to be a really tough away game. We saw Chelsea dropped some points here so we had to be focused and I think we really were focused.”
Reflecting on her goal, the midfielder said: “I think I’m never the target in those positions but maybe that’s the reason why I had a little bit more space than the other girls. I had a good touch which helped me to score but I think because the focus was maybe more on Lotte (Wubben-Moy) and her movements so it gave me the space I needed.”
There was some speculation ahead of the game that Jonas Eidevall would restore Vivianne Miedema to the starting 11, after the Dutch striker came off the bench against Lyon in midweek. However, Frida Maanum kept her place and repaid her manager’s faith in her by slotting the ball home on 21 minutes.
“This was another really good performance from Frida,” Eidevall said. “You could see she was tired in the end but she worked incredibly hard and it’s really nice to see the reward she gets for a long period of working hard in training and preparing herself for when the opportunity arises.”
On what Miedema, who was brought on in the 76th minute to replace Stina Blackstenius, needs to do to reclaim her spot, her manager told the Mirror: “I think everyone in our team has to work hard. It’s an obligation that comes with representing this club. In training, in the games, we’re a team and we go 100%. That doesn’t apply only to Viv, that applies to everyone.”
The biggest moment of contention in the game came in the second half, when Liverpool’s spirited appeals for a penalty were waved away by referee Anthony Backhouse after the ball appeared to strike Caitlin Foord on the arm.
Liverpool boss Matt Beard criticised the decision, saying “I said to the girls at half time, it seems everything Arsenal touch at the moment turns to gold and we just didn’t get the rub of the green in certain areas.
“We had a clear penalty which wasn’t given. I’m not happy with his view of it. (The referee) said it bounced and hit her on the hand, but she kicked it against her arm which is up there.
“And that can change the game a little bit because they were on the back foot then and goals change games. I think we responded well, particularly to the second goal because that was a bitter, bitter blow. I think we did well second half.”
The two sides now find themselves at opposite ends of the table, with Arsenal keeping pace with league leaders Manchester United while Liverpool are ninth with just three points from four games.
