Liverpool Women triumphed in the derby clash with Everton in their FA Women’s League Cup clash.
Goals from Sophie Roman Haug and Yana Daniels sealed the win despite an injury-time Everton consolation by Toni Duggan.
Everton manager Brian Sorensen made seven changes from the weekend win away at West Ham.
Academy product Macy Settle made her first start for the Toffees.
Annie Wilding, Alyssa Aherne and Karoline Olesen also featured.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard made six changes from last weekend’s draw against Bristol City.
First half
The Reds started quickly, on five minutes with Missy Bo Kearns swinging in a corner which was met by Sophie Roman Haug who volleyed past Emily Ramsey in the Liverpool goal.
Liverpool almost had a second minutes later when a floating pass found an unmarked Haug who could only head straight at the grateful Everton keeper. A let-off for the Blues.
Everton struggled to get out of their half in the first quarter of an hour conceding a sloppy corner on 23 minutes summing up the early stages for Brian Sorensen’s side.
The away side continued to trouble Everton when at the half-hour mark Lucy Parry crossed onto the head of Haug who again found the hands of Ramsey
On 45 minutes Kearns found herself in space delivering to Leanne Kiernan who could not bring the ball under control.
Just before the interval, Alyssa Aherne’s mistake led to Haug spiriting through on goal before shooting drawing a sharp save out of Ramsey.
The Toffees were lucky to go in just one behind.
Second half
At the start of the second period, Liverpool almost doubled their lead when Jenna Clarke glanced towards goal, testing the Everton goalkeeper.
The Reds scored their second on 56 minutes with Ramsey parrying Kearns’ free-kick into the path of Yana Daniels who made no mistake finishing from close range. A deserved goal for the visitors.
Everton almost had an instant reply through Emma Bissell finding space before heading towards the goal drawing a save from Rachael Laws.
Courtney Brosnan came on replacing Ramsey, Kiernan calling her into action straight away with a stinging shot.
The Toffees nearly had a reply on 89 minutes when Heather Payne cut a pass back to Emma Bissell who attempted a first-time finish with Laws saving sharply.
Toni Duggan tried her luck from range late on rattling the Liverpool post.
Everton finally scored on 99 minutes with Toni Duggan scoring from the edge of the box.
Player of the Match
The standout performer was Sophie Roman Haug.
The Norwegian opened the scoring and was a menace to the Everton backline throughout the night.
Haug could have had three or four if she was more clinical but an effective performance nonetheless.
What next?
The Toffees next Conti Cup fixtures will take place against Leicester City on January 24th 2024.
Next up in the Women’s Super League for the Blues is Manchester City. The game will take at Walton Hall Park at 1:00 pm (GMT) on Sunday 17th December 2023.
The Reds are already eliminated from the competition but will face Manchester United away in the Women’s Super League at 12:15 pm (GMT) on Sunday 17th December 2023.
