WSL talking points: Kerr strikes after 634 days and Liverpool woes mount

Manchester United’s Lisa Naalsund (left) and London City Lionesses’ Grace Geyoro battle for the ball, Alessia Russo scores from the penalty spot for Arsenal’s fifth goal, Janice Cayman of Leicester City goes up for a header with Liverpool’s Marie Hobinger. Composite: Guardian Pictures; PA; Plumb Images/Leicester City FC/Getty Images

Russo brings goals and versatility

Alessia Russo opened her account for the season in style, powering an effort from the edge of the box into the top corner and converting a second from the spot in Arsenal’s 5-1 defeat of West Ham. The England forward also provided the assist for Stina Blackstenius’s goal to put the visitors in front in the second half. Russo showed how effective she can be in the No 10 role as well, her goals and assist coming once she had dropped deeper after Blackstenius came on. “She is really good from those positions – that’s why we’ve been working with Less every now and then in that position,” said the head coach, Renée Slegers. “We have two really good 9s and sometimes we need a Russo player type in the 9 and sometimes we need the Blackstenius player type in the 9, and then we know that Less can do the 10 as well.” SW