A Megan Campbell free kick secured all three points for Liverpool Women as they began their League Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland.
The Women’s League Cup format involves an initial group stage, with Liverpool taking on Sunderland, Leicester, Blackburn and reigning champions Man City in Group B this season.
It’s been a mixed start to the Women’s Super League for Matt Beard’s side, with an impressive opening day victory over champions Chelsea, followed by a 3-0 loss at Anfield to Everton.
There were seven team changes that were beaten in the Merseyside derby, with the likes of Eartha Cumings, Hannah Silcock and Rachel Furness in the line-up.
Defender Rhiannon Roberts was also due to start, but was withdrawn from the XI as a precaution, with Emma Koivisto replacing her.
Wearing the club’s new green third kit, Liverpool started well, with Katie Stengel sending an effort that hit the crossbar in the early stages.
The breakthrough came when Yana Daniels was brought down on the edge of the area, before Campbell stepped forward to fire her free kick into the bottom corner.
Daniels had two big chances to double the lead before halftime, and Silcock, Furness and Stengel all had chances in the second half, but Campbell’s free throw was enough to secure the points.
The winners of each of the five League Cup groups will progress to the quarter-finals, along with the best runner-up, and Arsenal and Chelsea will join them in the round of 16.
The Reds’ League Cup trip saw them reach the quarter-finals last season, before a 1-0 loss to Tottenham.
Liverpool Women’s next game will see them return to WSL action to take on Tottenham in two weeks’ time, with their next League Cup clash against Leicester on October 26.
Liverpool FC Women: Cumings, Koivisto, Robe, Silcock (Flaherty, 64), Matthews, Campbell (Hinds, 46), Furness (Netherlands, 84), Wardlaw (Kearns, 46), Humphrey (Lawley, 56), Daniels, Stengel .
Unused alternates: Laws, Kirby, Fahey.
