Match reportLiverpool battle to WSL victory over Brighton at Amex Stadium

First-half goals from Olivia Smith and Leanne Kiernan were enough to earn the Reds the spoils in the Barclays Women's Super League contest.

Ceri Holland assisted both of the efforts on her return to action for interim head coach Amber Whiteley, while Michelle Agyemang was on target for the Seagulls.

There was barely two minutes on the clock when Liverpool opened the scoring via Smith.

Holland made an instant impact as she cut inside to pick out the run of her teammate into the area with a brilliant delivery from the left.

Smith's first touch took the ball into her path and her next saw the attacker fire low into the bottom corner of the net.

Kiernan next went closest as the Reds looked to firmly build on a positive start.

The striker fired wide of the goal ahead of forcing goalkeeper Melina Loeck into a strong one-handed save to her left side.

Brighton attempted a response through Nadine Noordam, though the midfielder's curling shot flew past the post on the turn from the edge of the box.

Smith again tested the reactions of Loeck with a low shot from a tight angle, before Liverpool added a second goal two minutes ahead of the half-time interval.

The hosts attempted to play out from the back but were thwarted by Holland as she pounced on a loose pass to advance at goal. She found Kiernan inside the area, who struck low into the net to add to the scoreline.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Liverpool were forced into their first substitution of the contest, with Smith unable to carry on due to injury.

Following the break, Brighton found their way back into the game almost instantly from the restart.

Substitute Kiko Seike's ball into the box from the right flank made its way across the six-yard area and was bundled in by Agyemang, who was in the right place at the right time to convert from in close.

The goal began a spell of dominance for the home outfit, who fired another warning via Fran Kirby as she flashed a volley wide from inside the area.

Whiteley responded with a double change as Sophie Roman Haug and Gemma Evans were introduced.

Marie Höbinger also guided a header inches past the post from a Taylor Hinds cross in an attempt to restore the two-goal advantage.

Both teams, though, largely cancelled each other out in the closing stages, with Agyemang shooting over from distance.

Holland also went close and forced another save, cutting onto her right foot to curl a shot goalward that was beaten away by Loeck.

Despite late pressure from Brighton to find a leveller in added time, Liverpool held firm to earn all three points on the south coast.

Team

Liverpool: Laws, Bernabe (Evans, 58), Fisk, Bonner, Hinds, Kerr, Nagano, Höbinger, Holland (Clark, 88), Kiernan (Roman H., 58), Smith (Kapocs, 45+6).

Subs: Micah, Parry, Matthews, Enderby, Bartel.

Next up

Liverpool are back in WSL action on Sunday April 27 when they host Tottenham Hotspur.

The match at St Helens Stadium is set for a 12pm BST kick-off – and tickets for the game can be purchased here.