Liverpool hold London City Lionesses to goalless draw

Liverpool picked up only their fourth point of the Women’s Super League season as they held London City Lionesses to a goalless draw.

It was the first game in charge for new Lionesses boss Eder Maestre but the Spaniard’s side were frustrated by winless Liverpool, who edged to within one point of 11th-placed West Ham.

Maestre was brought in by London City to implement a more possession-based style as they target European football by 2027, but adapting will clearly take some time as his side failed to break down struggling Liverpool and the Lionesses failed to score for a third successive game.

Liverpool arguably edged it, certainly in terms of chances created, but neither side registered a shot on target.

There were some bright spots – Swedish midfielder Alice Bergstrom looked impressive on her Liverpool debut after joining from BK Hacken, while both defences can be pleased with their afternoon’s work – but there was little by way of spectacle at the St Helens Stadium.

There was a nervy moment for London City 10 minutes before half-time when Jana Fernandez turned inside her own box and played it back to Elene Lete, whose decision to take a touch allowed Ceri Holland to quickly close her down but as she charged down the clearance the ball went wide.

Bergstrom, a versatile 22-year-old who started on the right side of midfield, went close to a debut goal nine minutes into the second half when what looked like an attempted cross from the right side of the box went just wide of the post.

At the other end Wassa Sangare headed wide from a corner in a rare chance for the visitors, then Bergstrom cut in from the opposite wing but saw Elena Linari cut out her effort.

The stalemate saw London City drop down to seventh in the league.