Liverpool took a huge step towards top-flight survival with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the Women's Super League.
The Reds started the day in eighth - two places and two points above their visitors -and took to the field at Prenton Park looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Leicester and Arsenal. Spurs meanwhile went into Sunday's clash having lost their last eight games in the WSL, though Rehanne Skinner's side did beat Liverpool 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in October.
Matt Beard made three changes to the side that fell to defeat at Meadow Park in midweek, with six of his senior players still sidelined with injury. Spurs, however, saw their attacking ranks bolstered by the return of star striker Bethany England, who, ahead of kick-off, had notched three goals in three appearances for the club since making a January switch from Chelsea to Brisbane Road.
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It was the hosts who made the brighter start to the contest; Ceri Holland pickpocketing the Tottenham defence and drilling her well-struck effort agonisingly wide of the far post. Liverpool spurned another great opportunity to get their noses in front minutes later, with Katie Stengel thwarted by Kerys Harrop's impeccably-timed sliding challenge inside the penalty area.
And the Reds were soon made to pay for their negligence in front of goal; Rosella Ayane holding off the attentions of Leighanne Robe and drilling a powerful effort into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 Spurs. It was an admirable response from Matt Beard's side though, who were rewarded for their efforts when Emma Koivisto's long-range strike took a wicked deflection that saw the ball loop over the head of Tinja-Riikka Korpela to restore parity at Prenton Park.
The goalscorer then turned provider; Koivisto latching on to Fuka Nagano's beautifully-weighted through ball and sliding in Missy Bo Kearns, who made no mistake with her cool finish on the 35-minute mark. Bethany England came close to levelling up the scoring, but her looping header was smartly tipped over by Rachael Laws to preserve Liverpool's lead heading into the break.
England came close again shortly after the interval, but dragged her shot just wide of Laws' near post after some nice build up play from Nikola Karczewska. Ashleigh Neville failed to capitalise on a spell of intense Tottenham pressure minutes later when she failed to hit the target with a powerful header after a lovely floated ball from Harrop.
It was one way traffic for much of the second half, but Liverpool rode wave after wave of Tottenham pressure to hold on to an invaluable three points. The Reds will return to WSL action when they travel to Goodison Park for the Merseyside derby on March 24.
Here's how the players got on at Prenton Park:
Rachael Laws - 7
Caught a bit flat footed for Ayane's opener but made a fine fingertip save to deny Beth England before the break. Commanded her area really well in the second half amid intense Spurs pressure.
Emma Koivisto - 8
Got her first Liverpool goal thanks to a wicked deflection and set up Kearns for Liverpool's second. An accomplished display.
Missy Bo Kearns - 7
A cool finish to put Liverpool in front on 35 minutes and showed her defensive discipline after the break. Subbed.
Gemma Bonner - 8
Made a couple of excellent sliding interceptions to thwart some dangerous Tottenham attacks early on and aerially dominant. Probably her best display since her Liverpool return.
Leighanne Robe - 6
Could have perhaps done more to hold up Ayane for the opener but pretty solid other than that.
Ceri Holland - 7
Pressed well to win back the ball high up the pitch and fired an effort just wide of the post. A typically lively display in the middle of the park.
Fuka Nagano - 7
Outmuscled a couple of times in midfield early on but showed her class with a sublime through ball to Koivisto for Liverpool's second goal.
Megan Campbell - 6
Caused early chaos with some long throws and a solid defensive display.
Yana Daniels - 6
Worked hard up front and pressed well in the first half. Put her header straight at Korpela in the second half. Subbed.
Taylor Hinds - 6
Blazed an early effort wide but did well defensively. Subbed.
Katie Stengel - 7
A handful for the Tottenham defence early on and almost set up Hinds with a cute back-heel. Nice play in the build up to Liverpool's second goal. Hold up play crucial late on.
Substitutes:
Sofie Lundgaard
Nearly set Taylor away late on.
Rhiannon Roberts
Got stuck in defensively.
Miri Taylor
Injected some energy high up the pitch after her late introduction.
