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A strong battle by the Lionesses as Meikayla Moore scored the only goal of the game to give Liverpool a 1-0 win at Princes Park. Despite Vicky Jepson's Liverpool side having more chances, the Lionesses resolve meant they only found the net once.
Thanks to Edward Payne Photography
PIVOTAL POINTS IN THE MATCH:
Lionesses keeper, Shae Yanez, was called into action from the start, making a strong save from Liverpool's Rinsola Babajide in the opening minute. Yanez pulled off another great stop in the 28th minute, pushing an Amy Rodgers free-kick wide. The visitor's piled on the pressure, with another Babajide attempt being deflected wide.
Hard work by the visitors was matched by the Lionesses but in the 31st minute, New Zealand defender Moore put home Rodgers' corner from close range for her first league goal of this campaign. On 35 minutes Juliette Kemppi's attempt to get the Lionesses back on level terms but her strike from a lay- off supplied by Atlanta Primus was comfortably saved by Rachael Laws.
Seven minutes after the restart, Amalie Thestrup flicked just wide as the Reds hunted for another goal.
The Lionesses had an opportunity for an equaliser in the 68th minute with Lily Agg drawing a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box. The airborne free-kick from Harley Bennett resulted in a headed attempt but fell into the hands of Laws.
Rachel Furness should have put the visitors two up with 15 minutes to go, but her strike cannoned off the bar. Babajide also hit the side netting as Liverpool looked to extend further. Moore scored a second for Liverpool with six minutes to play but it was ruled for offside.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Meikayla Moore has had to wait patiently for her first goal of the FA Women's Championship season.
HEAD COACH'S REACTION
Melissa Phillips, London City Lionesses Head Coach said: "I'm proud of the way the players competed. Liverpool are a really good team, loads of quality, and super athletic all over the field. "I'm disappointed not to come away with a point after the performance. The game ebbed and flowed and we managed it really well. We'll take a lot from it.”
When questioned on what the difference was between the two sides, Phillips responded "I don't think there is a big difference [between us and Liverpool]. I believe fully in my team and the performance on the field today. Ultimately it was a set-piece, and that's a small margin".
How will the Lionesses bounce back from this defeat?
"The best part about this team is we always bounce back. This game is done and over with, we'll learn from it, take some positives from it and get back on the training ground this week. "We'll take time to reflect and debrief and focus on Sheffield United starting tomorrow" Phillips replied.
PLAYER'S REACTION:
Lionesses defender, Harley Bennett gave her opinion on the performance saying "I thought as a team we battled really well and as Mel said small margins. I think we had a couple of chances which unluckily we didn't take. "I enjoyed playing against a tougher side and a top side and I think we competed well".
Did Liverpool feel like a class above the Lionesses today?
Bennett responded "No, not at all. It's just like I say, this is small margins. We defended a lot of corners, and I think, unluckily, we just conceded one."
SETL Player of the Match - Shae Yanez
London City Lionesses (4-4-2): Shae Yanez, Grace Neville, Hannah Short, Harley Bennett, Leanne Cowan, Hayley Nolan, Alli Murphy, Lily Agg, Juliette Kemppi, Lucy Fitzgerald, Atlanta Primus
Substitutes: Freda Ayisi for Kemppi 72, Kallie Balfour for Fitzgerald 72, Elizabeta Ejupi for Murphy 72, Annie Rossiter for Hannah Short.
Substitutes not used: Chantelle Mackie, Ylenia Priest, Lilly Pursey, Poppy Wilson, Hope Smith
Bookings: Ejupi 80
Liverpool (4-3-3): Rachael Laws, Becky Jane, Meikayla Moore, Niamh Fahey, Taylor Hinds, Rhiannon Roberts, Amy Rodgers, Rachel Furness, Rinsola Babajide, Amalie Thestrup, Melissa Lawley
Substitutes: Kirsty Linnett for Thestrup 76, Missy Bo Kearns for Rodgers 86
Substitutes not used: Rylee Foster, Eleanor Heeps, Leighanne Robe, Mia Ross
Goals: Moore 31
Referee: Georgia Ball