Beata Olsson struck late on to spare Liverpool from defeat and secure a crucial draw against fellow strugglers West Ham in a tense Women’s Super League clash between the division’s bottom two.
The Reds looked set for another damaging loss until the 87th minute, when Olsson pounced on a defensive lapse from Amber Tysiak to slot home and rescue a point.
Liverpool remain without a league win and will sit bottom of the table over Christmas, two points adrift of West Ham, but the result felt like a small victory given the circumstances.
Liverpool had been reduced to 10 players after just 19 minutes when Gemma Bonner was shown a straight red card for bringing down Riko Ueki as the forward chased a through ball.
Although there appeared to be defensive cover, referee Abigail Byrne deemed it a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
West Ham eventually made their numerical advantage count after the break. Ueki opened the scoring on 57 minutes by glancing a Viviane Asseyi corner past goalkeeper Faye Kirby.
However, the Hammers switched off almost immediately and were punished within two minutes, as Kirby’s long clearance was flicked on by Olsson and Mia Enderby drilled a first-time finish into the far corner.
The hosts restored their lead from another set-piece, with Ffion Morgan reacting quickest to a half-clearance and firing in a deflected strike from the edge of the area.
That goal looked set to decide the contest until Olsson struck again late on, keeping Liverpool alive in the relegation battle.
With the league’s bottom two facing off, the match highlighted why both sides are struggling.
Liverpool have endured a bruising season under Gareth Taylor, compounded by injuries and ill fortune.
Bonner’s early dismissal – her first red card in 156 WSL appearances – was another blow in a campaign full of setbacks.
Despite being under heavy pressure, Liverpool again struggled to create chances, failing to register a first-half shot on target for the second game in a row.
Yet Olsson continues to be their lifeline.
The Swedish forward now has five league goals and remains one of the few consistent positives in a difficult season.
West Ham, meanwhile, will be frustrated at letting another lead slip.
They created chances after the red card but lacked ruthlessness, and familiar defensive frailties cost them late on.
Having conceded 24 goals in 11 matches – the worst record in the league – Rehanne Skinner’s side remain vulnerable, even when on top.
Both teams face a tough road ahead, and this hard-fought draw did little to ease the sense that the battle to avoid relegation will continue deep into the new year.
