Everton delivered a stunning 4-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Women’s Super League Merseyside derby, with Ornella Vignola scoring a hat-trick on her debut. Liverpool took an early lead, but Everton responded emphatically, extending Liverpool’s winless derby streak. Liverpool’s coach Gareth Taylor saw positives despite the loss, while Everton celebrated a historic victory and are unbeaten in their last three games. Vignola’s performance was exceptional, leading in key stats. Liverpool will play Leicester City next, while Everton hosts Tottenham.
Anfield witnessed a Merseyside derby to remember, though not for the home fans as Everton delivered a resounding 4-1 defeat to Liverpool in their Women's Super League (WSL) season opener. Despite an early lead from Liverpool's Cornelia Kapocs, Everton's Ornella Vignola stole the spotlight with a stunning hat-trick on her competitive debut. The victory marked a significant turnaround for Everton, while leaving Liverpool and their new head coach, Gareth Taylor, searching for answers despite glimpses of promise.
The game began brightly for Liverpool, with Kapocs's 12th-minute goal igniting the Anfield crowd. However, Vignola quickly dampened the spirits with an equalizer, followed by two more goals to complete her hat-trick and firmly swing the momentum in Everton's favor. Everton captain Katja Snoeijs added another goal in first-half stoppage time, extending their lead and setting the stage for a dominant second-half performance.
For Liverpool, the defeat extends their winless streak in Merseyside derbies to eight games, a concerning trend for the club. While the scoreline suggests a one-sided affair, Liverpool's Gareth Taylor saw positives in his team's performance, particularly in the first half. "My feelings are strange really because I felt in the first half – particularly in the first 40 minutes – we were pretty good. Probably better than pretty good. I think the control we had in the game was very good," Taylor said, acknowledging the team's strong start.
However, Taylor lamented the critical period just before and after halftime, where Everton seized control of the match. "Then it’s just the four minutes either side of half-time, you can see how quickly the game can get away from you. Disappointing, obviously, to concede the [first] goal when we were so dominant, but I felt that the players still then got a grip of the game." Despite the loss, Taylor emphasized the need for improvement and increased fitness levels within the squad.
Full-time. pic.twitter.com/fw3IsSzcCW
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) September 7, 2025
On the other side of the pitch, Everton celebrated a historic victory, marking their first WSL win after conceding the opening goal in 27 matches, a drought dating back to April 2023 against Reading. Their current form sees them unbeaten in their last three WSL games, inching closer to their longest unbeaten streak of four matches between April and May 2024. This victory is massive for their confidence and ambition for the rest of the season.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Ornella Vignola, who joined Everton from Granada in July. Her debut hat-trick showcased her talent and potential, leaving a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike. Vignola's statistics further highlight her impact, leading the team in shots on target (three), touches in the opposition box (four), and aerial duels won (two).
Everton coach Brian Sorensen praised Vignola's performance, stating, "She’s been looking so good. That is the reason she started today. She has been looking so good in pre-season, she’s aggressive, and she’s smart in her runs, and she just wants to score goals. I’m so pleased for her." Sorensen also emphasized the importance of squad depth in turning games around, a factor that proved crucial in their victory.
Looking ahead, Liverpool faces Leicester City next Sunday, seeking to bounce back from this disappointing defeat. Meanwhile, Everton will make their home debut at Goodison Park against Tottenham, aiming to continue their winning momentum. The Merseyside derby result has undoubtedly set the tone for an exciting WSL season, with Everton emerging as a team to watch and Liverpool determined to overcome their early setback.
The loss will sting for Liverpool, but coach Taylor will be hoping to build on the positives from the first half and tighten up defensively. They will need to find a way to convert their chances and become more clinical in front of goal if they want to compete with the top teams in the league. The journey to achieve their goals is a marathon, not a sprint, and this early setback can serve as a valuable learning experience.