England World Cup star Fara Williams scored an early goal to lay the foundations for Liverpool as they recorded an impressive FA WSL 1 victory at Arsenal.
With a crowd of over 2,000 at Boreham Wood, three of Mark Sampson's Lionesses from Canada started the game as the sides faced their first Super League outing since the World Cup.
Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool
FA Women's Super League 1
Sunday 12 July 2015
Boreham Wood FC
For latest fixtures, results and tables visit www.FAWSL.com
And it was midfielder Williams who capitalised on Liverpool's bright start with a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner with nine minutes gone.
Seven minutes later and Arsenal could not handle the Reds' first corner, allowing full-back Becky Easton to apply the final touch to Williams' inswinging delivery.
Arsenal tried to respond when Vicky Losada put Danielle Carter through, but she was unable to score her second league goal of the season, slipping wide.
Carter continued to persevere, but Libby Stout and the Liverpool defence held firm until half-time, despite a close-range effort from Carla Humphrey.
Welcome back to the #FAWSL @fara_williams47! @LFCladies midfielder scores an absolute stunner from 25 yards. http://t.co/lC0Fuy846O
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 12, 2015
The hosts reacted better after the restart and the pressure eventually paid off when Natalia Pablos Sanchon guided a clever, lofted through ball in from Rose over Stout and into the net with 63 minutes played.
Arsenal continued to knock on the door through Carter, Alex Scott and Casey Stoney, but a long clearance caught them napping. It allowed Asisat Oshoala to get ahead of the defence and seal the three points for the current champions.
The win moves Liverpool just three points behind second placed Gunners, but still eight off leaders Chelsea.
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