In one of the shock results of recent Barclays Women’s Super League seasons, newly-promoted Liverpool got one over on reigning champions Chelsea as they recorded a 2-1 victory at Prenton Park.
The hosts couldn’t have asked for a harder test as they welcomed title holders Chelsea to Merseyside and they got off to the worst possible start when they gifted The Blues a golden opportunity to take the lead. A seemingly innocuous bit of play swiftly turned sour as Gilly Flaherty looked to clear the ball in the area but didn’t catch Guro Reiten in her blind spot. The Norwegian international stole the ball from the toes of the Liverpool defender who kicked the standing leg of her opponent and referee Emily Heaslip had no choice but to award the penalty. Fran Kirby stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner as keeper Rachael Laws went in the opposite direction and Chelsea were ahead after less than three minutes.
Liverpool began the second period on the front foot and they were soon awarded a penalty of their own. Megan Campbell, who came on for the injured Leanne Kiernan, delivered one of her trademark long throws which caused all kinds of chaos in the Chelsea penalty area. Flaherty stuck out a foot to deflect the ball onto Millie Bright’s arm and the referee awarded the spot kick to the hosts. It was a contentious decision that could’ve gone either way but Liverpool didn’t care. Katie Stengel was given the responsibility of taking the penalty and she coolly passed the ball into the net to draw her team level at 1-1.
Some superb skill from Stengel then allowed her to get past Kadeisha Buchanan and run in on goal. The Chelsea defender looked to recover but as she slid in, she went through the Liverpool forward to get to the ball and referee Heaslip awarded a third penalty. Once again, Stengel stepped up and it was the same result as Zećira Mušović was helpless to stop the shot and Liverpool took an improbable lead with just minutes to go.
The Reds held on despite seven minutes of stoppage time and took away all three points at the expense of the champions.
Many wondered how well Liverpool would compete upon their return to the top flight but they answered any doubters this evening. The result also throws into question Chelsea’s ability to retain the title that they’ve won in each of the previous three years.