Dowie double sinks Blues

The No.9 was back to her brilliant best after a barren spell in front of goal as she fired a double strike against her former club as Matt Beard's side responded superbly after their weekend defeat to Notts County.

Going into the game, Beard was without injured trio Fara Williams, Asisat Oshoala and Satara Murray, but fit again Lucy Staniforth was given her first start in a red shirt. The manager also switched formation with striker Kate Longhurst impressing in a new role at left-back.

This was the first game in the group stage of the Continental Cup which also sees the Reds face Doncaster Belles, Durham, Sunderland and Manchester City.

For the Blues Nicola Anderson and Lee Lockley took charge of the team following the decision of manager Andy Spence to step down from his role during the break for the World Cup.

The main stand was packed to the rafters as a crowd of 1,073 were eagerly anticipating the first derby of the season.

Despite the Blues no longer being in WSL 1, form does tend to go out of the window in these fixtures.

However, straight from the kick-off Liverpool were in front. A mistake in the Everton rearguard let in former Blue Dowie and the No.9 beat goalkeeper Kirstie Levell to the ball, and tapped home the opener.

Dowie almost added a second after six minutes. A poor clearance from Levell went straight to the No.9, but the stopper made up for her mistake with a brilliant save to keep out the goalbound effort.

On 16 minutes Liverpool Ladies went close again. Dowie threatened to break through but after she was blocked out Maz Pacheco drilled a shot just wide.

The Blues almost equalised on 36 minutes when Michelle Hinnigan let fly with an effort from the edge of the box, but with Libby Stout beaten the ball hit the post and rolled away to safety.

Four minutes before the break there was a fierce collision between Longhurst and Megan Finnigan that left both players on the floor, but thankfully after treatment they were both able to continue.

Three minutes later the Reds had a great chance to make it 2-0 when a superb through ball from Line Smorsgard sent Rosie White clean through, but Levell was the obstacle with a fine save.

Six minutes after the restart former Red Kelly Jones had a great chance but under pressure, she could only fire wide.

Dowie had the ball in the net again after a brilliant move on 54 minutes, but her joy turned to despair as the goal was disallowed for offside.

It was 2-0 after an hour and this time Dowie wasn't to be denied. Martha Harris did superbly down the right-flank and her cross found the No.9 who made no mistake.

On 65 minutes Liverpool's injury jinx struck again when captain Gemma Bonner was forced to leave the field and be replaced by Hannah Dale.

Dowie  then had the ball in the net once more but this time her hat-trick hopes were dashed again by the linesman's flag. It started with a brilliant move. Longhurst drove forward from her own half to the edge of the penalty area and after Staniforth's effort was brilliantly saved, Dowie pounced only to see her celebrations again cut short for offside.

On 77 minutes substitute Ashley Hodson then set off on a great run down the left flank that ended with her rasping drive flying just wide. It certainly would have been a goal to remember had it found the net.

Ingrid Ryland then was inches away from making it 3-0 with an effort that just cleared the bar after more great approach work from Hodson.

This was an excellent display from Liverpool Ladies who will now hope to get their injured players back in time for Sunday's WSL 1 trip to Birmingham.

Liverpool Ladies: Stout, Harris, Pacheco (Ryland 77), Bonner (Dale 65), Easton, Staniforth, Longhurst, Omarsdottir, Dowie, Smorsgard (Hodson 64), White. Subs not used: Schroder, Darbyshire.

Click here to read more about Liverpool Ladies.