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Injury hit Reds out of cup

Liverpool were knocked out of the Continental Cup by a rampant Arsenal side this afternoon.

After they claimed the WSL title at Skelmersdale last week, the Arsenal side arrived full of confidence, while Reds boss Robbie Johnson faced something of an injury crisis.

Liverpool were able to name just two substitutes in Chloe Jones and Caroline Charlton, neither of whom were 100% fit themselves.

The Reds lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Vicky Jones again operating in the defensive midfield role and Cheryl Foster playing just off lone striker Katie Brusell.

After a scrappy opening period, England striker Ellen White had the first real chance after eight minutes, but she nodded Katie Chapman's cross just wide.

At the back, her namesake and international team-mate Faye White had pulled up with a knee injury, and her replacement Ciara Grant made an immediate impact, putting the visitors ahead with her first touch.

Chapman's break through the middle was thwarted by Nicky Twohig's tackle, but from the resulting Kim Little corner, Grant was able to powerfully head home into Danielle Gibbons' net.

Despite being the better team, Arsenal struggled to create any clear cut chances until midway through the half, when Jordan Nobbs volleyed wide after seizing on Michelle Evans' clearance.

Little then fed White, whose run sprung the otherwise effective offside trap, but her half-volley went inches over the bar.

The same two players combined on 34 minutes but White again missed the target as Little's low free kick found her unmarked eight yards out.

Nobbs, White and Chapman all then had efforts comfortably dealt with by Gibbons before a moment of controversy denied Liverpool an equaliser right on half time.

Brussel raced down the left wing before seeing her crossed blocked. The ball then fell kindly for her to curl in a right footed effort which Gunners keeper Rebecca Spencer appeared to fumble over her line. No goal was given though and Liverpool went into the break behind.

Half Time: Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

Liverpool saw their best chance of the game missed five minutes into the second period, when Foster capitalised on a weak defensive header but miscued her shot from around ten yards out.

Four minutes later and Arsenal doubled their lead through an impressive run and finish from Ellen White. Latching onto Little's pass, White drove into the area before firing a shot across Gibbons and into the far corner.

Little was beginning to run the game from midfield, and she set up another chance for White moments later. The striker beat Gibbons to the ball but could only lift her attempt into the side netting.

It was then Danielle Carter's chance to impress, as a burst of pace took her past two Liverpool defenders and allowed her to set up a simple chance for substitute Jennifer Beattie, who tapped home from close range.

Carter then had a chance of her own well saved by Gibbons before she again turned provider, firing a cross into the six yard box, but none of her team-mates could apply the final touch.

Arsenal weren't to be denied a fourth though as Beattie again scored from a few yards out. Substitute Rachel Yankey fed Little who saw her shot well saved by Gibbons, but Beattie was first to the rebound and was able to claim her second.

There was still time for Carter to head against the post and Little to fire over as Liverpool's season came to a disappointing end. Arsenal meanwhile march on to the semi-final as they aim to complete a domestic treble.

Full Time: Liverpool 0-4 Arsenal

Carly Baldwin