The champions looked set for a routine night when they were awarded the first penalty of the game inside two minutes. Gilly Flaherty’s clumsy challenge on Guro Ryten saw referee Emily Heaslip point to the spot. Euro 2022 winner Fran Kirby converted in her first appearance for Chelsea since February. But the Blues were guilty of not taking their chances, with Sam Kerr, in particular, cutting a frustrated figure up front, as manager Emma Hayes told Sky Sports after the game: “For us going forward, I didn’t think we could to knock on a barn door today.’ Liverpool raised their game in the second half in front of 3,006 fans – the biggest ever attendance for a Liverpool Women’s match at Prenton Park. Flaherty redeemed herself in the first half when she helped win Liverpool’s first penalty. Her header from a long shot by Megan Campbell hit Millie Bright on the arm and she was penalized for handball. Stengel – making her WSL debut – stepped up and easily outclassed Zecira Musovic. Stengel then won a second penalty, fouling Chelsea debutant Candeisha Buchanan in the box. The American forward once again kept her cool and proved the winner, with the Blues unable to find an answer to Liverpool’s intense display. Discussing her penalties, Stengel told Sky Sports: “I said to myself: ‘Don’t miss, please don’t miss, all these people are going to make fun of me if I miss.’ I decided I needed to change it and I got lucky. “When I step up for a penalty, I have to decide before I take it which way I’m going to go, take a breath and if the keeper moves early I can adjust, but otherwise I stick to what I’ve decided to do.” There were jubilant scenes between the Reds at full-time, inflicting Chelsea’s first defeat of 2022. The WSL title holders have now lost their first game in the last two seasons.
How Liverpool stunned Chelsea
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Katie Stengel scored again from the penalty spot for Liverpool as she converted to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the WSL. While Liverpool had a nightmare start to their return to the WSL, they rallied well and could have equalized minutes later. After some great play from Ceri Holland, her shot was stopped but largely broken by Musovic. Reds debutant Emma Koivisto was waiting but fired her effort wide. Chelsea should have doubled their lead in the 20th minute. Kerr latched on to Kirby’s cross before slotting past Rachael Laws. But the offside flag was raised and the goal was ruled out, despite replays showing it was open. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Fran Kirby scored from the penalty spot less than three minutes into the game to give Chelsea the lead The Blues continued to see chances fall their way, despite Liverpool’s impressive play. Erin Cuthbert’s half volley just went over the bar with Kerr swinging another high effort towards the end of the first half. It was a quieter start to the second period, although Liverpool suffered another blow when Leanne Kiernan was injured just before the hour mark. After a tackle from Buchanan, he landed awkwardly and eventually made it with the help of two Liverpool physios. She was helped to keep any weight off her right ankle as they carried her through the tunnel. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Katie Stengel equalized from the penalty spot for Liverpool But a Prenton Park record was ignited when Liverpool were awarded their second penalty of the game, expertly dispatched by Stengel. However, Chelsea could have gone back in front soon after a poor touch from Koivisto saw the ball at the feet of Reiten. But her final effort, after failing to corral Flaherty, was a weak shot straight at Laws. Liverpool started to pick up the pace and the now well-worn penalty spot was back in action late on as Stengel was fouled by Buchanan, with the striker stepping up again to win the game for her side. Chelsea could have grabbed a point late on as Kerr cleared the ball for Bethany England, who was lurking six yards out. However, Liverpool captain Niamh Fahey was there to step in and see the ball away as the Reds completed a stunning win.
Hayes: I didn’t think we could knock on the barn door today
Image: Fran Kirby had Chelsea in front early in the first half
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes told Sky Sports: “They play a 4-5-1 and they don’t come out, so you have to be patient to break them down. They scored from a cross which was a penalty and the second one was a transition which was another penalty. It’s not like in the open game where they had a lot of shots – they just maximized the situations. “For us going forward, I didn’t think we could knock on the barn door today. “I just think we played poorly in the first half. I think sometimes we want to win things by a bigger margin and we just have to go with the process and keep passing the football. “I thought in the second half it was a little bit of a stretch for us. We’ve still got young players coming in and they’re still learning the system. There’s a lot of responsibility on them. But we just shrug it off and go again. . “What do you have to worry about when you lose a football game? I’m not emotional about it. I think we have to think about it, watch it and next week is a new week.”
Beard gives tactical insight into Liverpool’s win
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player After his side’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, Matt Bird says Liverpool knew how they could hurt Emma Hayes’ side. Liverpool manager Matt Bird told Sky Sports: “It’s only the first game. I felt during the game we deserved it. Especially with the tactical changes we made at half-time, we started with three points at home. “This was a fortress for us last season and we made it uncomfortable and difficult for Chelsea today. “During the pre-season, we tested ourselves against good WSL teams, we started slowly in terms of not going out when we can and putting them under pressure, and it took a while.
Matt Beard on Van de Sanden and Kiernan injuries
“Sanis [van de Sanden] he has had an achilles problem for a while, he broke it on friday afternoon in training. Leanne I don’t know yet, she’s in a boot and I guess we’ll have a scan or x-ray in the next few days.’ “We’ve just put Katie in with Sophie Ingle, to be a bit more solid in the middle, because Chelsea like to play and then turn. “We stopped that from happening and we knew we could hurt them on the counter-attack. The goals they conceded last season were either from crosses or counter-attacks. We knew we could hurt them, and lucky enough for us today it paid off. . “Whenever we pick a team to play a game, we always have changes in mind. When you looked at the players that came in, we were physically a lot bigger. “Chelsea play with a high line and are quite expansive so we wanted to go with Leanne and Mel at the base. It didn’t quite work for us but we changed it and got our rewards for it.”
Pundits: Liverpool absolutely deserve it
Image: Katie Stengel celebrates after equalizing for Liverpool
Sky Sports’ Karen Carney: “To come back the way they have, you always felt at half-time, the score 1-0, the belief and the manager, there is something about him. “He always gets the best out of his players and in the second half they were great. Chelsea weren’t good enough, especially in the final third. “Liverpool absolutely deserve it, there were two great penalties but it’s all about the manager. He has achieved something special at this club.” Former Arsenal striker Kelly Smith on Sky Sports: “They were great, organized, fighting, they believed in each other. “Furness, Daniels and Roberts came in and made a real impact with their energy and work rate to come back. “It was all about teamwork tonight, coming together, believing in ourselves and suffocating Chelsea and they did that in the second half.”
What’s next?
Sunday 25 September 18:30 Start 18:45
Both teams have big WSL matches next weekend. Liverpool take on Everton in the first Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield next Sunday, live on Sky Sports. start 6.45 pm Chelsea also host Manchester City on the same day. starting time 4pm
