For the second match in a row, the Liverpool FC Women looked absolutely dominant throughout the first half but were unable to take a lead into the break. And yet again, a mental lapse lead to a goal for the opponents while the Reds failed to create much attacking impetus while chasing the game.
Below, we take a look at some winners and losers on the night, and attempt to disentangle narrative from fact.
Winners
Cornelia Kapocs
The Swede has been one of the real bright spots for Liverpool through the opening
two matches. She has formed a great partnership with Marie Höbinger on the left and made intelligent runs to receive the ball around the edge of the box. On several occasions Kapocs delivered great cut back passes across the face of goal that led to chances that were ultimately not converted.
Mia Enderby
With Ceri Holland not fit to start, Enderby managed to create problems for Leicester City on the dribble down the right flank in her stead. Despite only playing the opening 45 minutes, Enderby completed 2 of 2 dribbles and also drew a foul in a dangerous area. She also got herself in shooting position at the top of the box after a Kapocs cut back, putting one chance on target. After barely featuring under Matt Beard last season, it seems that Enderby is at least being given a chance to prove herself as a spot starter.
Losers
Mental Lapses
Leicester City were reduced to 10 players after Shannon O’Brien was sent off for her second yellow card offense. Liverpool’s players relaxed mentally knowing they had a player advantage and allowed Leicester City to get the ball on their right flank with no pressure. Fuka Nagano and Gemma Bonner did not communicate as Emily van Egmond waltzed between the two for a free header just outside the six yard box to score what would be the game winner.
Possession with Intent
Gareth Taylor described the style he is trying to implement as possession-based. Liverpool seem to have gotten that part right, completing 86% of their passes while maintaining almost 75% of the possession against Leicester City. Despite the control of the ball and the fact that they were trailing from the 59th minute on, Liverpool did not register a shot in the second half until the 82nd minute. The Reds finished with just 3 shots in the second half to go with their 6 shots in the first half. Those 9 shots total registered just 0.5 expected goals according to FotMob. There is a lot of work still to be done to create meaningful possession that creates consistent attacking output.
Fullback Depth
It is still early in the season but the Reds started the match with four center backs on the pitch, deploying Grace Fisk and Gemma Evans as the right and left backs respectively. Left backs Lily Woodham and Alejandre Bernabe missed out entirely through injury, and right back Risa Shimizu is still working her way to match fitness and could only feature from the bench. Lucy Parry, who dealt with an achilles issue all of last season, also was on the bench and it is unclear if she is just not preferred or if she is still limited by the long-term issue.
From The Manager
“Those games can happen like that, when you are obviously so dominant in everything and one action from the opposition can result in a goal. That’s the importance of tracking runners, making sure we’re staying goal-side. We just need that bit of quality at the top end just to get the final action right.”
-Gareth Taylor
What Happens Next
After another disappointing loss, the Reds are still in search of their first points of the season. They will take on another struggling side away to Aston Villa next Sunday.
