Liverpool earned a hard-fought point in a 1–1 draw with Chelsea at the Brewdog Stadium, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Gareth Taylor’s side from dropping to the bottom of the Women’s Super League table.

Alyssa Thompson’s superb early strike had given Chelsea the ideal start, but Beata Olsson’s equaliser midway through the first half secured only Liverpool’s second point of the campaign. The result keeps the champions in pursuit of leaders Manchester City, while Liverpool continue to wait for their first win of the season.

Chelsea began with control and took the lead inside nine minutes. Thompson picked up the ball on the edge of the area and bent a curling effort into the far corner, capping a slick move with a composed finish. Despite their dominant start, it proved to be Chelsea’s last shot on target, as Liverpool grew into the contest and tightened their structure.

The Blues should have doubled their advantage shortly afterwards. Ellie Carpenter drove down the right and cut the ball back for Catarina Macario, but the forward miscued from close range.

Liverpool responded strongly and were rewarded on 33 minutes. Olsson burst beyond Millie Bright after a direct ball in behind, held off the Chelsea captain and slotted confidently past Livia Peng. It was the Swedish forward’s third goal of the season and arrived at a moment when her side needed inspiration.

Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor said he has seen clear signs of growth in Olsson’s game.

“We had an opportunity to work with her during the international break. She’s aware of what she needs to improve. Her attitude and enthusiasm are first class,” he said.

Chelsea increased the tempo after the interval but still struggled to find clear openings. They were left frustrated when half-time substitute Aggie Beever-Jones went down under pressure inside the box, only for referee Edward Duckworth to determine the contact was not enough for a penalty. The forward also had a goal disallowed for offside shortly after.

Despite dropping points, Chelsea extended their unbeaten WSL run to 34 matches, setting a new league record. They remain in the chase for top spot, with a crucial Champions League meeting against Barcelona to come in midweek.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will take encouragement from their resilience and organisation, even if the table shows them at the foot of the league.

Taylor praised his side’s commitment off the ball, saying: “The game plan was to try and get pressure on the ball as much as we can. The girls executed it really well. We defended the box so well.”

The performance offered a lift after a difficult run of results, but Liverpool will know the need for wins becomes more pressing as the season progresses.

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