Finnigan leads Everton to WSL win over Liverpool in front of record crowd

Anfield witnessed its record crowd for a Women’s Super League fixture although not the outcome the majority had expected. Everton took the spoils in the Merseyside derby with a commanding display and comprehensive victory over Liverpool, timing their first win of the campaign to perfection from the perspective of their new manager Brian Sørensen. Everton won the last WSL derby here in 2019 before a then record crowd of 23,500. They repeated the feat in front of an audience of 27,574 — attracted by the success of the European Championships, ticket prices of £7 for adults and £1 for concessions, even a promotional video from Jürgen Klopp — courtesy of goals from Megan Finnigan, the outstanding Jess Park and the substitute Hanna Bennison. The occasion was in keeping with the growing momentum of the women’s game, but it got to Liverpool.

“We looked scared,” the Liverpool manager Matt Beard admitted. “We have to learn to deal with these types of stadiums and crowds. I don’t want that to be the excuse but it was a factor. We usually play at Prenton Park, which has been very good for us. The bigger crowd does add pressure to us but we have to cope with that because this is the way the women’s game is going. We are desperately disappointed with our performance. Everton took full advantage and thoroughly deserved to win.” His Everton counterpart concurred that the crowd was a factor, although one that Sørensen’s side thrived upon. “It was good to see so many people here,” the Everton manager said. “We said before the game that we should use our football to quieten the crowd down and that’s what we did. It was an amazing crowd for women’s football. I’m really happy with it.”

Liverpool had announced their return to the top flight