Liverpool 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 1
Nikita Parris scored her sixth goal of the season but it wasn’t enough as Liverpool edged out Brighton and Hove Albion at St Helens Stadium this evening (Friday 17 January).
Brighton went behind to a fine individual goal by Olivia Smith after 31 minutes – and Liverpool might have extended their lead as they played with confidence.
But the Seagulls kept themselves in the game and, midway through the second half, former Everton striker Parris scored the equaliser courtesy of a deflection.
Hopes of a hard-earned point were thwarted nine minutes from time when Jorelyn Carabali, facing her own goal, turned Grace Fisk’s powerful shot into her own net for an unfortunate own goal.
Afterwards, Albion head coach Dario Vidosic said that his side had got what they deserved on their return to WSL action.
He said: “Everywhere went wrong. I couldn’t recognise us at all. I felt we took a lot of steps back from where we have been.
“Credit to Liverpool. They made it tough for us but we weren’t caught out by anything from Liverpool. We just didn’t have any attacking edge and looked toothless.
“We lacked disciplined and structure and played straight into their hands. It was very disappointing.
“The good thing is we’ve got a quick turnaround. We know we are and can be a good team. We need to learn from this and learn from it quickly.”
The quick turnaround amounts to less than a week before Albion host Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Subway League Cup at 7.15pm on Wednesday (22 January) at the Broadfield Stadium, Crawley.
