Ornella Vignola announced her arrival to the Women’s Super League with a stunning hat-trick at Anfield to fire her Everton side to yet another Merseyside derby win.
In a smash-and-grab first half, Everton came from behind to secure a 4-1 victory after Cornelia Kapocs had given the hosts a deserved lead. Vignola started the comeback before adding two more after the break after Katja Snoeijs had headed them in front.
Liverpool hoped that a new manager would have helped change their fortunes in this historic fixture. Their record against their neighbours is nothing but woeful, with their winless run now stretching to eight games.
The weather reflected the mood on what turned out to be miserable opening afternoon for the hosts despite dominating the first half. In torrential rain, Liverpool failed to capitalise against a team that have added depth and quality over the summer.
While Brian Sørensen has been able to profit from an increase in funds from the Friedkin Group, the club’s new owners who took over in December 2024, there has been little investment. This is despite a windfall from the sale of their Canadian star Olivia Smith for around £1m. There may have been one or two rueful glances towards the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as their former winger illustrated exactly why the Gunners had splashed the cash for the 21-year-old, and reiterated the size of the hole she has now left in this Liverpool team.
It is one that Gareth Taylor has been unable to replace since his arrival at the club this summer. The full-back Lily Woodham was the only new recruit to start while Sam Kerr also featured in midfield, having made her move permanent after spending the second half of last season on loan at the club.
In contrast, Sørensen named six of his new players in his lineup. The central defender Rion Ishikawa has added significant presence while the Dutch international Rosa van Gool settled in alongside Hayley Ladd in midfield. Vignola, meanwhile, was handed the responsibility of leading the line, keeping Kelly Gago on the bench.
It was a quintessential game of two halves played out in front of a crowd of almost 12,000. Liverpool controlled proceedings early on, finding joy down the right as Kerr and Ceri Holland combined to exploit the gaps.
They did not have to wait long for a reward for their dominance as Kapocs opened her account for the season. Breaking on to Marie Höbinger’s pass, she cut into the box from the left before sending a fierce effort in off the underside of the crossbar.
They should have doubled their lead just minutes later but were denied by a spectacular Courtney Brosnan save. Höbinger was at the heart of it once more, whipping in a free-kick towards Gemma Bonner at the back post. The defender stretched to send the ball goalwards but Everton’s goalkeeper was on hand to brilliantly tip on to the crossbar.
Liverpool were in complete control but a moment of hesitation enabled Everton to pounce to level. When Ladd cleared a corner from the box, Vignola took off from inside her own half to break forward. What followed was nothing short of sublime as she hammered home an angled shot.
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The hosts continued to press but failed to make their opportunities count. In contrast, Everton proved clinical once again on the stroke of half-time. Maz Pacheco produced a pinpoint delivery from the left for Snoeijs’ header. Faye Kirby got fingers to it but was unable to keep it from nestling in the net.
Everton rang the changes at the break with Sørensen turning to his tried and tested personnel, Karen Holmgaard and Clare Wheeler, while also handing Ruby Mace her debut. They made an immediate impact as the visitors were then able to control proceedings.
Vignola scored two goals in two minutes: first was a thumping header off another Pacheco cross, before the Spaniard then fired home with a clinical low finish.
There was delight at full time for Sørensen’s team as they got their season up and running in memorable fashion. For Taylor, however, there is work to be done ahead of an important encounter with Leicester next weekend.
