Russo double gives Arsenal rare WSL win at Anfield
Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal ended a lean run with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool, though Renée Slegers' side were again made to work hard for it.
Alessia Russo scored both goals as Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield to claim only their third league win of the season in the Women's Super League.
The victory offered some brief respite for head coach Renée Slegers, who goes into the fixture under pressure, according to the Guardian, even though the performance itself was again unconvincing from the visitors.
Russo's double took her recent scoring form to seven goals in her last four appearances and ten in her past seven games for club and country, the Guardian reported.
Liverpool had the better of the early exchanges. Vivien Endemann saw a shot fizzle wide, and moments later Lisa Baum struck the crossbar after Russo had carried the ball forward and picked her out.
Olivia Smith also fired wide for the home side before Arsenal took the lead. Emily Fox swung in a cross and Russo finished into the net to make it 1-0, according to Yahoo Sports.
Liverpool responded quickly. Beata Olsson found space inside the box and drove a powerful strike into the bottom corner to level the scores.
The hosts almost went ahead soon after. Jenna Clark met a corner but Arsenal's defence cleared the danger, while Natalia Ramos' low free-kick was turned over the bar by Misa Rodríguez.
Liverpool then had a goal ruled out. Clark collected a low delivery and slotted past Misa, but the effort was flagged offside, a decision that left the hosts unhappy, the Guardian noted.
Arsenal pushed back through Caitlin Foord and Georgia Stanway, both of whom found the side-netting without troubling Khiara Keating.
Russo's second then arrived. Fox again supplied the pass towards Baum, and Russo was on hand to knock the ball past Keating for what proved the winning goal.
Liverpool continued to threaten. Cornelia Kapocs got into the Arsenal box but could not convert, while Kim Little's effort was well held by Keating.
Russo came close to completing a hat-trick when Stanway played her through, only for Keating to get a hand to the ball and deny her.
Alice Bergstrom had the clearest chance to equalise late on for Liverpool, but her shot was well blocked as Arsenal held on for the 2-1 win.
Liverpool next travel to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Barclays Women's Super League on Saturday, while Arsenal host London City Lionesses the following Sunday, Yahoo Sports reported.