Liverpool Women Snap Losing Streak with 2-1 Win Over Brighton

ST HELENS, England — Liverpool FC Women ended a four-match losing streak in the Women’s Super League (WSL) with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night. The win, marked by a standout performance from Canadian striker Olivia Smith, provided a much-needed boost for the Reds after a challenging first half of the season.

Smith opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a stunning solo effort, weaving past defender Poppy Pattinson before firing a shot into the top left corner. Brighton equalized in the second half through a deflected strike from Nikita Parris, but Liverpool secured the win in the 82nd minute when Grace Fisk’s effort forced an own goal from Jorelyn Carabali.

“The past two weeks since we’ve been in, we’ve been really focused on winning,” said Smith, who now leads Liverpool with three WSL goals this season. “We’re looking at this as a total reset, especially now that we have the depth.”

Liverpool’s struggles this season have been compounded by a series of injuries. Manager Matt Beard revealed that the team lost seven defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards during pre-season, leaving the squad depleted. “I said to the players before the game, as much as it’s been an up-and-down first half of the season, I’ve been so proud because they never gave up,” Beard told Sky Sports.

The victory was Liverpool’s third in 11 league matches this season, moving them up to eighth in the table. Despite the win, Beard acknowledged room for improvement, particularly in finishing chances. Liverpool had eight shots on goal but only three on target, with substitute Mia Enderby’s 66th-minute effort being the most threatening.

Brighton, who sit fourth in the WSL, struggled to match Liverpool’s intensity. The Reds won 50 duels to Brighton’s 41 and made 16 tackles compared to their opponents’ 11. “Tonight was consistent,” Beard said. “I thought Sam Kerr had a fantastic debut, Smithy terrified them, and we needed a league win here.”

The match also marked a return to form for Liverpool’s pressing game, a hallmark of their successful 2023-24 campaign. Beard’s side dispossessed Brighton 22 times, showcasing the work rate that had been missing in recent weeks.

With the winter break behind them, Liverpool now look to build momentum in the second half of the season. “We need goals to win games,” Smith said. “That’s the main focus going into the second half of the season.”