Liverpool Women fell to a 2-1 defeat against Leicester City Women at King Power Stadium in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday. Olivia Smith gave the Reds an early lead, but goals from Janice Cayman and Missy Goodwin turned the game in Leicester’s favor.
The match started perfectly for Liverpool when Smith’s pressing forced Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig into a mistake. Smith closed her down, and the goalkeeper’s clearance rebounded off the forward and into the net, putting the Reds ahead in the 3rd minute.
Leicester quickly responded with threats from set-pieces. Sophie Howard’s volley went over the bar after a corner, and soon after, Cayman leveled the score with a composed finish from a free-kick delivery into the box. Leicester continued to put pressure on Liverpool, and just before the break, they took the lead when Goodwin scored from close range after winning the ball from a throw-in, making it 2-1.
In the second half, manager Matt Beard made several substitutions, bringing on Marie Höbinger, Gemma Evans, Leanne Kiernan, and Julia Bartel to spark a response from the Reds. Höbinger and Kiernan created a chance soon after the restart, but Kiernan’s pass to Hinds was saved by Leitzig. Liverpool continued to search for an equalizer, with Smith being fouled in the box but opting to stay on her feet and shoot, only for Thibaud to block the effort.
As the game wore on, the visitors struggled to break down Leicester’s solid defense, with Höbinger’s long-range efforts failing to find the back of the net. In stoppage time, Kiernan had the last chance of the game, firing into the side-netting from inside the area. The match ended 2-1, with Leicester claiming the three points.
Liverpool’s push for an equalizer fell short, and despite some strong attacking play, Leicester’s resolute defense and clinical finishing were enough to secure the win. The Reds will now look to bounce back in their upcoming rearranged fourth-round tie in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup against West Ham United on Wednesday night (7.45pm GMT kick-off).
