Arsenal secure second place with final day victory at Liverpool | OneFootball

Arsenal secured second place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table and a more favourable entry into next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.

Alessia Russo netted a brace while Mariona Caldentey also got her name on the scoresheet. Youngster Zara Shaw scored Liverpool’s only goal.

Arsenal started the stronger side as Katie McCabe attempted a volley in-front of the Kop, however, the ball ended up going wide. Some good play from The Gunners then resulted in Emily Fox attempting a shot at goal, but she was denied by home keeper Jennifer Falk. Caitlin Foord and McCabe then saw efforts saved by Falk.

Stina Blackstenius looked to have opened up the scoring for The Gunners when she got on the end of a long ball from Russo. However, replays showed that the Swede didn’t get a touch on the ball and the goal went down as Russo’s.

Blackstenius then had another attempt to get a goal, but Falk got her fingertips to the ball and sent it over the bar before the Liverpool keeper denied Russo from distance.

Mariona Caldentey scored the second for the visitors, with the assist coming from McCabe. A short corner came from McCabe, who found the boot of Caldentey to put it into the far corner of the net.

Russo soon made it three, as she tapped home a low corner from Victoria Pelova.

Liverpool tried to respond and captain, Grace Fisk, had an attempt from range, but it ultimately went wide of the goal.

Olivia Smith then looked to make an impact on her return to Merseyside, but unfortunately, she ran out of space in the box and the ball rolled out of play.

The hosts did manage to get one goal back through youngster Shaw. Jenna Clark’s header found its way to Shaw who converted it from six yards.

This afternoon’s result sees Arsenal gain qualification for next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League through an automatic route courtesy of being Barclays Women’s Super League runners-up. Liverpool end the campaign in 11th position.