Ladies suffer Gunners defeat
Despite a spirited performance, Liverpool Ladies went down 3-0 to reigning WSL champions Arsenal in their opening Continental Cup game at Skelmersdale on Sunday afternoon.
The format of the competition has been altered this season, with an initial group phase being played before four teams advance to the semi-finals later on in the season.
The Reds made two changes from the side beaten by Birmingham last week, with Nicki Harding and Lynda Shepherd dropping to the bench to be replaced by Danni Lea and Hannah Keryakoplis.
With captain Vicky Jones playing a defensive midfield role and Keryakoplis operating as the lone striker, Liverpool started well, forcing a succession of early corners, but it was the visitors that created the first clear chance after six minutes.
Rachel Yankey was played through, and hesitation from home goalkeeper Aroon Clansey allowed her to get a shot away, but it lacked sufficient power and the covering Sam Chappell was able to clear.
Liverpool had another let-off a minute later, when Jennifer Beattie headed Danielle Carter's cross agonisingly wide.
The Reds created their own opening shortly afterwards, though, when Cheryl Foster did well to bring the ball down and play Keryakoplis through, but her shot was deflected behind for a corner which came to nothing.
Carter and Alex Scott were proving a constant threat down the Arsenal right flank, and Beattie again got on the end of a cross, but Jordan Nobbs was unable to turn the ball in from close range.
The Gunners found themselves in front on 20 minutes, after Rachel Yankey was fouled on the left wing. Steph Houghton swung the free kick in, and Beattie was able to guide a header over the diving Clansey to hand the visitors the advantage.
It was almost 2-0 five minutes later, when great play down the right set Katie Chapman free, but her powerful shot was blocked by Nicky Twohig.
From the resulting corner though, the lead was doubled. Yankey's delivery caused problems in the Liverpool defence, and the ball ricocheted around the six-yard box before Houghton grabbed the final touch.
With both sides becoming careless in possession, the game took on a scrappy feel, and an Arsenal mistake almost gifted Liverpool a way back into the game when Yvonne Tracy's slack pass was cut out by goalkeeper Emma Byrne before Keryakoplis could capitalise.
The striker was in the action again moments later as she flicked the ball on to the onrushing Kelly Jones, who in turn switched play to Ruesha Littlejohn, but she could only hit a powerful half-volley well over Byrne's crossbar.
Byrne was then tested again, tipping Michelle Evans's corner onto the bar before claiming the following cross comfortably.
For the first time in the half, Liverpool were on top, and they went desperately close to reducing the deficit on 40 minutes.
Good interplay between Littlejohn and Keryakoplis resulted in Byrne flapping at Littlejohn's cross, but the stretching Kelly Jones directed her follow-up shot straight at the Irish goalkeeper from close range.
Despite Liverpool's late pressure, it was Arsenal that almost scored the game's third goal in first-half injury-time, when Yankey latched onto a right-wing cross before drilling an angled shot against the foot of the post.
Liverpool made a change in goal at half-time, with Nicky Davies replacing Clansey.
The early action was at the other end, though, as Liverpool again put the visitors under pressure. From an early corner, Keryakpolis drilled a low shot just wide of the post, before Littlejohn's scuffed effort was well claimed by Byrne under a challenge from Foster.
Littlejohn showed her quality on the wing again on 57 minutes, beating her marker before standing up a terrific cross that Kelly Jones nodded wide.
Arsenal were next to threaten, when Houghton broke down the middle and fed Yankey, and her cross found the unmarked Carter in the middle. Her header looped dangerously towards the top corner, but Davies was able to claw it away.
On the hour mark, Houghton had the ball in the Liverpool net, but was denied by an offside flag.
Liverpool's luck with the officials seemed to run out a minute later, though, as the referee waved away appeals for a penalty after Kelly Jones was bundled over in the box.
Scott then broke down the Arsenal right, before unselfishly electing to set up Jordan Nobbs, who - off balance - ballooned a shot over the bar.
Scott's persistence eventually paid off on 68 minutes after she again surged into the Liverpool penalty area. Substitute Ellen White got on the end of her cross and made no mistake with the finish, turning the ball past Davies from close range.
Into the final 15 minutes, and Liverpool continued to create chances, with first substitute Lynda Shepherd heading a corner over, then Byrne having to punch a dangerous Evans delivery over her own bar.
Arsenal's quality was always evident, and great forward play from Ellen White created another opening on 81 minutes.
The England striker displayed strength to hold the ball up, before setting up Houghton who fired narrowly over the top.
Arsenal had a great chance to extend their lead moments from time, but, after the woodwork denied Ellen White, Davies made a fantastic save to turn Carter's effort over and keep the score down to 3-0.
The result means that Liverpool have started the season with cup defeats against last season's top two sides, and now have three weeks to prepare for their WSL opener at home to Bristol on April 8.