Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Women’s Super League, picking apart a poor Brighton and Hove Albion side 4-0, writes Matt Groom at Prenton Park.

Brighton were on top for the first 20 minutes, coming close to scoring from multiple corners, but Liverpool grew into the game.

Some tricky play on the edge of the Brighton box between Sophie Roman Haug and Marie Hobinger led to the Norwegian forward striking a venomous shot towards the goal, but the attempt was parried behind by keeper Sophie Baggaley.

The resulting corner was also pushed behind, and it was from there that Hobinger was able to put a beautiful cross to Gemma Bonner at the near post, who had no trouble heading home in the 27th minute.

Following the goal, it seemed as though Brighton were starting to slowly get back into the game just before the half time break, applying pressure to the Liverpool back line and controlling possession.

Then the ball ran loose in midfield allowing Roman Haug to drive at the Brighton centre halves with both wingers either side of her. She played a slide-rule pass through the defenders for Shanice van de Sanden to slot home and make it 2-0 on the stroke of half time.

The third and fourth goals were almost carbon copies of each other. The former came from the head of Ceri Holland, after van de Sanden threaded a perfect pass to the byline for Roman Haug to cross into the middle in the 62nd minute.

The fourth was the work of substitute Leanne Kiernan, who continues her return from injury. The striker burst past the defenders to get to the byline before sliding a pass across the face of the goal for Roman Haug in the 93rd minute. That was the cherry on the cake of an excellent performance.

The win moves Liverpool up into the top four of the WSL, leapfrogging Manchester City who play host to Tottenham later on Sunday. The loss for Brighton leaves then down in ninth place.

The Red’s next game isn’t until December 10 when they will host Bristol City in the League. Meanwhile, Brighton are back at home on the same day, where they’ll welcome Leicester City.

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