Liverpool FC Women secured a clinical 5-0 victory over Sunderland in the Subway Women’s League Cup on Wednesday night.
Ahead of kick-off at St Helens Stadium, tributes were paid to former manager Matt Beard following his sudden passing last weekend.
A minute’s silence was observed, while players wore black armbands and supporters held applause, sung songs and displayed a banner in his memory to celebrate his two WSL titles with the Reds.
Liverpool scored via Gemma Evans, Jenna Clark, Risa Shimizu in the first half, and a Sophie Roman Haug double wrapped up the win in their opening Group B fixture of the competition.
It took seven minutes for the Reds to open the scoring, Fuka Nagano’s delivery finding the run of Evans in the area to produce a powerful header.
Clark then added to the scoreline in minute 21 with a header of her own as Liverpool dominated proceedings, converting a brilliant corner ball from Lily Woodham.
Beata Olsson then threatened, forcing a save from goalkeeper Demi Lambourne with a glancing header, who sprung into action quickly to halt Cornelia Kapocs’ follow-up from close range.
However, Shimizu’s clever finish ensured the lead would stretch to three ahead of the half-time interval.
The full-back reacted to a stray shot from Nagano and produced a looping, cushioned volley over the Sunderland stopper that dropped into the back of the net.
Following the interval, Liverpool picked up where they left off in the opening half and scored twice more.
Sam Kerr first shot over the bar from inside the box to fire another warning in the closest attempt during a flurry of attacks for the hosts.
Several substitutions were also made by head coach Gareth Taylor, including the notable return of midfielder Sofie Lundgaard from long-term injury.
One of those to step onto the field of play was Roman Haug and she made her presence felt by netting twice in the closing stages to put an exclamation point on victory.
Mia Enderby worked the ball down the left to find her fellow striker to convert from close range for her first, while a reaction header following a Clark effort two minutes from time completed the scoring.
Team
Liverpool: Borggrafe, Shimizu (Parry, 60), Clark, Evans, Woodham, Nagano (Lundgaard, 68), Maclean, Kerr (Silcock, 68), Olsson, Kiernan (Roman H., 60), Kapocs (Enderby, 46).
Unused subs: Kirby, Fisk, Szymczak, Holland.
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