Arsenal secured a narrow victory over Liverpool, winning 1-0 as the Barclays Women’s Super League entered its final games of 2024. The match, played at St Helens Stadium on December 31, was marked by Alessia Russo’s first half goal, which sent the Gunners home with three valuable points.
The match began with Liverpool showing promise as they pressed early, but it was Arsenal who struck first. Russo’s 20th-minute goal came from some chaotic defending by the home side, as Liverpool failed to clear a corner effectively. The situation unfolded following Katie McCabe’s set piece when Gemma Bonner could not handle the ball, allowing Russo to pounce and slot it home, marking her fifth goal in three games.
Despite being behind, Liverpool had their chances to equalize before the half-time whistle. A pivotal moment came soon after Russo’s goal when Liverpool was awarded a penalty after Bonner fouled Russo. Mariona Caldentey, stepping up to convert, disappointingly hit the woodwork. The miss proved costly as it denied Liverpool the opportunity to level the scores.
Head coach Matt Beard reflected on the situation, expressing his frustration: "There’s light at the end of the tunnel," he remarked, hinting at possible reinforcements following the winter break, yet lamenting their current predicament.
Arsenal didn’t dominate the game completely, but they had opportunities to extend their lead. The team saw attempts from Frida Maanum and Beth Mead, with the latter’s shot deflecting onto the post, highlighting the Gunners’ attacking threat.
After the break, the game carried on with increased urgency from both teams. Although Arsenal was under pressure, they managed to hold onto their lead. Liverpool’s Olivia Smith nearly converted during the second half but was unable to capitalize on what appeared to be a gift from Arsenal’s goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
With time running out, Beard made several substitutions to try and shift the momentum. Jenna Clark made several key blocks to keep Liverpool within reach, but the home side could not create clear-cut chances to draw level. Arsenal’s interim coach, Renée Slegers, basked in the applause at the end of the match, celebrating her ninth win from just ten games at the helm.
Slegers, cutting a figure of relief, highlighted the importance of the result over performance, acknowledging, "I didn’t recognize us. We are usually consistently good on the ball...but we are very aware the three points were the most important today." The emphasis was on improvement for Arsenal as they continually clamp down on their title pursuit.
The results not only propelled Arsenal above Manchester United on goal difference but also demonstrated the competitive nature of the league. Following Arsenal’s success, the management team has hinted at continuity for Slegers if her winning run continues. Meanwhile, Liverpool was left licking their wounds, sitting at eighth place with only nine points from ten games—with injuries plaguing their line-up.
Overall, the match served as a stark reminder of Liverpool’s struggles this season and underscored Arsenal’s steady climb as they seek to reduce the gap to league leaders Chelsea.
