Spurs beaten 2-1 by Liverpool in WSL - on-the-whistle-report

We were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool in the Women's Super League at Prenton Park on Sunday afternoon.

Rosella Ayane gave us the lead in the 18th minute, before Emma Koivisto equalised for the home side. Missy Bo Kearns put Liverpool ahead before half-time.

Rehanne Skinner made one change to the side that began last weekend's 3-1 defeat against Manchester City, Bethany England returning from injury to replace Celin Bizet in the starting XI.

Ceri Holland curled the ball wide of the far post early on after we conceded possession close to the 18-yard box, before Taylor Hinds had a shot deflected into the hands of Tinja-Riikka Korpela.

Ayane tried her luck from distance moments later, the ball falling to Drew Spence, who in turn played it forward to England. Our number 19 saw her shot blocked.

In the 13th minute, Kerys Harrop made a vital tackle to keep the game goalless. Katie Stengel, through on goal after we gave the ball away, couldn't get a shot away as Harrop timed her slide perfectly to clear the danger.

Korpela made an equally important save to deny Yana Daniels an opening goal, before we took the lead courtesy of Ayane. Spence played the ball forward to Rosella, who created space for herself to smash it into the bottom right corner for 1-0.

We were unlucky to concede the equaliser just four minutes later, as Harrop's attempted tackle on Koivisto resulted in the ball looping over Korpela and into the back of the net from long range.

Liverpool doubled their lead in the 36th minute, Fuka Nugano passing out right to Koivisto, who pulled it back to Bo Kearns. The number seven dispatched into the bottom left corner for 2-1 to the home side.

England forced Rachael Laws to tip the ball over the bar after she headed towards goal from an Ashleigh Neville cross, and we went into the break a goal behind.

Eveliina Summanen came on for Spence at half-time.

We came close to an equaliser almost straight away after the break, England shooting into the side netting after gathering possession from Nikola Karczewska.

Holland hooked the ball high over the bar before Molly Bartrip's free-kick just evaded the head of Amy Turner, who had timed her run to get beyond the Liverpool defence.

Kit Graham was brought on to replace Mana Iwabuchi with 20 minutes remaining. Ayane went for goal on the volley, but Laws was able to catch the ball. Ayane's cross then came out to Graham, who fired over the bar.

Ayane's cross into the box was then caught by Laws and she was later replaced by Asmita Ale. Bizet crossed to the far post and Harrop put it back in, but Liverpool cleared the danger.

Eight minutes were added on at the end of the 90 but we were unable to find an equaliser, as Stengel shot the ball wide of the far post at the other end.

Match data

Goals scored: Liverpool Women - Koivisto 20, Bo Kearns 34, Spurs Women - Ayane 18.

Yellow cards: Liverpool Women - Campbell 54, Laws 90+8, Spurs Women - Turner 31.

Referee: Jane Simms.

Venue: Prenton Park, Birkenhead.

Weather: Overcast, eight degrees.