Two goals in three second-half minutes were enough for Liverpool to secure a 2-0 victory over Reading at Prenton Park in the Women’s Super League.
Missy Bo Kearns (pictured) and Ceri Holland scored for Matt Beard’s side to send them above Tottenham into eighth in the league, easing fears of relegation.
It is a vital three points for the Reds who have struggled to get results in their first season back in the top flight after winning the Championship last season.
Reading started brightly and sent an early warning to the home side when Emma Harries headed against the bar within the first 10 minutes.
Liverpool should have opened the scoring soon after but striker Katie Stengel’s scuffed effort was cleared off the line with Jacqueline Burns beaten.
The visitors continued to threaten on the counter and nearly took the lead when Rachel Rowe hit a fierce strike narrowly over the bar from the edge of the box.
The Reds came out flying in the second half and deservedly broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute.
Emma Koivisto broke into the box and found Missy Bo Kearns, who slid the ball past Burns for her second league goal of the season.
Liverpool’s lead was doubled just three minutes later when Welsh international Ceri Holland tapped home Gemma Bonner’s flick on following a trademark long throw from Megan Campbell.
All we need is, @Ceriholland_11 🎶 pic.twitter.com/pEP4j16QXy
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) February 5, 2023
Stengel spurned two good chances to make it 3-0, seeing a close-range effort blocked and then heading inches wide from another Campbell throw-in.
The Reds survived a flurry of late Reading set pieces to secure a much-needed win and a rare clean sheet.
They will hope to build on this performance next week when they host Leicester, who sit bottom of the league with just one win all season.
(Featured pic from Alamy Images, agreed licence)
