Liverpool Women once again only managed a point on the road in the Barclays Women's Super League, this time a 3-3 draw against Reading after they twice took the lead.
The Reds had an early chance as Melissa Lawley found herself in plenty of space on the left flank and cut it back to Rachel Furness in the box, whose effort was deflected behind for a corner. Lawley, though, was the provider for Liverpool's opener as her cross was headed home by Katie Stengel.
Matt Beard's side kept pushing for a second, the disappointment of conceding three to Brighton after taking the lead on Sunday likely fresh in the minds of the players. Stengel could've had a second after an impressive driving run from midfield saw her beat two Reading players and get a shot away, which was brilliantly defended by the hosts.
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The Royals found their equaliser on the brink of half-time. A free kick wasn't dealt with by Liverpool and it was cleared to Tia Primmer on the edge of the box, who drilled an effort beyond Eartha Cumings.
Liverpool had a bright start to the second half, once again Lawley's dangerous cross was cut out by the Reading defence. The hosts themselves could have taken the lead shortly after, but Cumings was relieved to see the shot drift wide.
Former Red Natasha Dowie then broke Liverpool hearts just after the hour mark. Once again the Reds didn't deal with a second ball after a free kick and Dowie was there to tap it home. Stengel handed Liverpool a lifeline minutes later, though, with another headed effort to put the visitors level, this time meeting a cross from substitute Megan Campbell.
Campbell's first long throw of the game then wasn't cleared by the Reading defence. It came out to Lawley on the right, who floated in another dangerous cross which was headed in at the back post by another substitute Rhiannon Roberts.
With minutes left to play, Liverpool were unable to comfortably clear another Reading free kick and a scramble in the box saw it headed over the line by Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen.
Despite late pressure from Kelly Chambers' side, Liverpool held on to clinch the point and remain 10th in the table with a Continental Cup game against Blackburn Rovers up next on Sunday.
Here’s how the Liverpool players got on at the Select Leasing Car Stadium…
Cumings - Confident in coming out to claim the ball on crosses. Quick off her line to deny a certain Reading goal early in the second half. Some questionable distribution, kicking it straight out for throw-ins on a handful of occasions. 7.
Koivisto - A little loose in possession, but only got caught once or twice. Linked up really well with Van de Sanden on the right, made a number of good overlapping runs. 7.
Fahey - Alert to any Reading counter-attacks. Did really well to cut out a number of passes around the box and dominant in the air. 7.
Matthews - A number of crucial interceptions to deny Reading. Solid partnership with Fahey as part of a back four, a stray on the usual back three. 7.
Hinds - Good set-piece delivery, her effort from a free kick was nearly headed in by Furness to give Liverpool a second on 25 minutes. A couple of shots, unfortunate not to see them go in as they were deflected behind. 7.
Holland - Won a lot of her duels, effective in setting Liverpool on the attack. Tough midfield battle but a calm performance overall. 7.
Wardlaw - Lost Primmer for Reading’s equaliser. A steady influence in the centre of the park in what was a tough midfield battle. 7.
Furness - Early chance to put Liverpool ahead, unfortunate to see it take a deflection and go out for a corner. Helped dictate the tempo for the Reds and held onto the ball well when under pressure. 8.
Lawley - Dangerous on the left flank, worked well to find space and play in a number of dangerous balls. A deserved assist for Liverpool’s opener, had already put in a number of good crosses. 8.
Van de Sanden - First start of the season and looked really dangerous going forward. It was her pass into Lawley for the opening goal. Needlessly booked in the first half for a foul on the halfway line, though. 7.
Stengel - Inevitable. Well-timed header to score the opener for Liverpool. Incredible work rate, popped up in defensive areas to win the ball back and set her side on the attack. Nearly made it two with a solo effort, she drove forward, beat two players and aimed for the far corner but it was deflected out for a corner. Another headed goal in the second half to put Liverpool level. A chance to cross to Kearns to make it 4-2 for a tap in, but instead dragged it wide. 8.
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