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Liverpool lose to high-flying Blues

A spirited second half performance wasn't enough to prevent Liverpool falling to defeat against unbeaten Birmingham in Stratford today.

After last weekend's narrow loss to Chelsea, the Reds came into this game as underdogs, and lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with recent signing Emily Gielnik leading the line.

Liverpool more than matched their high-flying hosts in an even opening quarter of an hour, but fell behind in unfortunate circumstances after 16 minutes.

Karen Carney whipped in a cross from the right, and Nicky Twohig sliced her attempted clearance into her own net via the crossbar.

Blues then took complete control of the game, with Carney and Rachel Williams playing starring roles.

England winger Carney had two chances to double the lead within a minute on the half hour, but Liverpool goalkeeper Nicky Davies kept her out, and was tested again just seconds later.

Kerys Harrop won the ball on the corner of the penalty area, before driving forward and hitting a powerful effort which Davies superbly turned around the near post.

Jodie Taylor was next to test Davies, before Jo Potter went close to adding her name to the scoresheet with a fantastic 35-yard free kick which missed the post by inches.

On the stroke of half-time, Liverpool were finally able to exert some pressure of their own, but both Hannah Keryakoplis and Nicki Harding saw their shots blocked.

Half-Time: Birmingham 1-0 Liverpool

Birmingham started the second half on the front foot, with an early Williams header testing Davies, before Potter clipped the bar with a free kick.

Five minutes into the half, Birmingham introduced England striker Eni Aluko, and her pace caused problems immediately, as she latched onto a through ball and squared for Harrop to finish well at the far post.

Sam Chappell then produced a great block to deny Aluko a goal of her own, before Liverpool threatened at the other end through Gielnik's long range strike.

It was 3-0 on 56 minutes, when Jodie Taylor was afforded time and space in the box and was able to pick her spot and finish past Davies.

To their credit, Liverpool battled on, and they were unlucky not to score from a real moment of quality on the hour - Chloe Jones seeing her shot saved after good hold-up play from Gielnik.

Chloe Jones then floated in a free kick which caused real confusion in the Blues defence, but Liverpool were unable to capitalise as Keryakoplis lifted a cross to the back post.

Gielnik then saw a fantastic 20-yard shot cannon back off the crossbar, before some terrific defending from Harding prevented Carney adding a fourth at the other end.

Vicky Jones then repeated the trick, sliding in bravely to deny Aluko when a fourth goal looked a certainty.

Blues substitution Maz Ballard then missed a golden chance, rolling the ball past the post after great build-up play from the hosts.

Moments later, Liverpool got the goal that their second half play deserved, as Kelly Jones produced a composed headed finish to replacement Caroline Charlton's cross.

Despite working some good openings, Liverpool were unable to set up a tense finale, and slipped to their third defeat in four WSL games.

Full-time: Birmingham 3-1 Liverpool

Carly Baldwin