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Reds knocked out by dominant Blues

Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup at the fifth round stage by last season's WSL runners-up Birmingham City, who inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the Reds in their first competitive game of the new season.

Liverpool came up against a Birmingham team boasting experienced new signings Rachel Unitt and Eni Aluko, while for the Reds, New Zealand international goalkeeper Aroon Clansey made her competitive debut between the sticks.

The home side started the better, with Jodie Taylor firing the first effort of the game over the Liverpool bar.

Clansey then had to be alert to deny Aluko when the England international broke the Reds offside trap.

Liverpool looked bright on the break though, and Michelle Evans' through ball almost found Kelly Jones in the area, but she was beaten to the pass by Blues goalkeeper Marie Hourihan.

Unitt then went close to marking her debut with a goal, but she headed England team-mate Karen Carney's dangerous cross wide of the target.

The visitors then threatened again after good play down the right wing by Nicki Harding. Her cross found Ruesha Littlejohn, but, on the turn, the Scottish striker couldn't control her shot.

Birmingham were rewarded for their first half performance on 26 minutes, when Taylor struck to put them a goal up. Unitt collected the ball on the left and swung in a fantastic cross which Taylor was able to flick beyond Clansey.

It should have been 2-0 just a minute later, but Liverpool's goalkeeper was able to bravely block from Aluko after the striker had once again beaten the offside trap.

She was in the clear again on the half hour after Laura Bassett played a perfectly measured through ball, but Aluko's hesistation allowed both Sam Chappell and Nicky Twohig to get back and deny her again.

Although for the most part, Liverpool were keeping their shape and discipline against a Birmingham side full of attacking talent, the home side should have doubled their lead minutes before half time.

Firstly, Vicky Jones was just able to intercept Taylor's pass to prevent Isobel Christiansen getting a clear sight of goal, then Clansey saved well again, this time from Taylor.

Half Time: Birmingham 1-0 Liverpool.

Liverpool found themselves under pressure again immediately after the re-start when Taylor broke through to be denied by Vicky Jones and Clansey, and Aluko was unable to turn in the loose ball.

On 50 minutes, the striker had yet another chance to open her season's account, but after checking back to beat Twohig she fired her shot too close to Clansey who made another impressive stop.

She was almost left to rue that miss shortly afterwards, as Michelle Evans provided Hourihan's first worrying moment with a curling free kick. The Blues goalkeeper was equal to it though, diving to her left to stop the effort.

Incredibly, on 57 minutes, Aluko blew another golden opportunity as she was again denied by Clansey whilst one-on-one.

It was 2-0 just moments later though, when Clansey rushed from her line to deny Carney, only to see her header fall to Christiansen, who showed terrific instincts to volley into the unguarded net from around 35 yards out.

With 20 minutes left, Robbie Johnson made a triple substitution, replacing Lynda Shepherd, Cheryl Foster and Michelle Evans with Chloe Jones, Sophie Jones and Danni Lea.

It was Birmingham that continued to threaten though, and Clansey continued her impressive debut by outpacing Carney to clear the ball after the England winger had beaten the Liverpool defence.

Birmingham were firmly in control by this point, and went close to adding the third goal that their pressure deserved on 80 minutes, when Emily Westwood rose above everyone else to meet Jo Potter's corner, but put her header wide of the target.

With seconds left, the home side did increase their lead when a Chelsea Weston pass found its way to substitute Maz Ballard, who touched the ball past Clansey before poking the ball into the empty net from close range.

The victory was no more than Blues deserved, and they progress into the next round and leave Liverpool to concentrate on the forthcoming WSL season and the Continental Cup, which begins with a home tie against Arsenal next weekend.

Full Time: Birmingham 3-0 Liverpool

Carly Baldwin