Everton stun Liverpool in WSL opener at Anfield

False dawn at Anfield

There is always a sense of renewal when a season begins, particularly at Anfield. Supporters arrive with hope, fuelled by expectation and the romance of a derby fixture. For a moment, Liverpool appeared set to deliver that story. They struck first, they pressed with intensity, and they had Everton’s defence retreating. Yet football so often reshapes narratives.

The opening goal carried the surge of belief. Marie Höbinger’s clever pass released Cornelia Kapocs, who cut infield and lashed a shot in off the bar. The stadium erupted. At 1-0, Liverpool were flowing. Gemma Bonner came close with a volley that struck the crossbar, inches from doubling the lead. But those missed moments mattered.

Everton response shifts momentum

The equaliser, when it came, felt like a twist written in advance. Ornella Vignola found space on a counter, curling beyond Faye Kirby to make it 1-1. Liverpool still had openings, with Ceri Holland striking the post and Höbinger miscuing a gilt-edged chance after a defensive error. Yet as the half drew to a close, Everton punished again.

In added time, Maz Pacheco’s delivery was met by Katja Snoeijs. Kirby’s hand made contact, but the ball crossed the line. Suddenly Liverpool’s energy drained, and the atmosphere shifted.

Second half collapse

The restart brought no reprieve. Vignola, ruthless and composed, struck twice more. Each finish widened the gap, and with every goal the sense of inevitability grew. Liverpool pressed, but their efforts were swallowed by frustration, the scoreline now an indictment of wasted chances.

By the final whistle, it was 4-1. A game that had once looked promising unravelled into a sobering defeat.

Lessons from a painful start

Derbies often magnify flaws. Liverpool’s wastefulness contrasted with Everton’s efficiency. The margins were thin in the first half, but across 90 minutes they became decisive. Supporters left knowing that the season has only just begun, but also aware of the ruthlessness of this league. Everton stunned Liverpool not through dominance, but by seizing their moments.

It was a harsh reminder that early hope can be fleeting. For Liverpool, the task now is recovery and response, because in the WSL, stumbles are rarely forgiven.