After a dismal start to the season Liverpool manager Vicky Jepson must have spent much of the last few weeks ruing the club’s decision to allow her to recruit just three players in the summer. And there would be little sign of her luck changing at Meadow Park.
‘Pray for Liverpool’, was the sentiment going into Sunday’s top-flight tie. Sitting rock bottom of the table and with just one point from six games to their name, the Reds visit to the home of the reigning champions had ‘thumping’ written all over it. Arsenal their Merseyside visitors 10-1 on aggregate in their FA WSL meetings last season, so she would need little reminders of their goal scoring prowess.
But with Arsenal far from their brilliant best, Liverpool managed to keep the score line respectable at least, though that will be little consolation for under fire Jepson who slumped to defeat number six – and counting.
Joe Montemurro’s side hadn’t conceded in 540 minutes of football prior to Sunday’s meeting but Liverpool captain Sophie Bradley-Auckland must have thought she had shattered that record inside the opening 10 minutes after latching on to Becky Jane’s free kick. But her right-footed effort was denied by the post.
It would prove to be the visitor’s only clear cut chance of the game. Having scored one goal all season – and even that coming from the penalty spot – it’s no surprise Liverpool offered next to nothing in attack beyond that.
After a sluggish opening half hour, Arsenal needed a wake-up call – and it came through the usual suspect Vivianne Miedema. After picking up a neat through ball from fellow Dutch international Jill Roord, the lethal Arsenal striker jinked passed a helpless Leighanne Robe before firing home her fourth league goal of the season from the edge of the box.
Arsenal and England centre back Leah Williamson rattled the cross bar after striking a wild effort from 25 yards, with Jen Beattie and Beth Mead also denied in quick succession, but there was little else for the either side to write home about in the second half.
Liverpool’s search for their first win of the 2019/20 campaign goes on. Jepson’s side face second-place Manchester City at the Academy Stadium next Sunday, fresh from thrashing fellow FA WSL strugglers Bristol City 5-0. They’ll need prayers that day, too.
