Russo double gives under-pressure Arsenal a 2-1 WSL win at Liverpool
Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in a Women's Super League match on 8 November 2026. The victory provided some brief respite for Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers amid continued scrutiny of the team’s performances.
Arsenal started the match on the front foot and created early openings, but their display was described as unconvincing despite the result. Russo’s brace extended her recent run to seven goals in her past four appearances and 10 in her past seven games for club and country, while Liverpool posed sustained problems and were left aggrieved by a disallowed goal.
Arsenal threatened from the outset when Lisa Baum’s effort deflected onto the crossbar and Olivia Smith fired over from a tight angle after being slipped through by Russo. The visitors took the lead after a move down the right ended with Emily Fox’s cross being met by Russo, who angled a first-time finish into the net.
Liverpool were level six minutes later, with Natalia Ramos finding space to play a direct ball to Beata Olsson, whose run was left unmarked by Arsenal centre-backs Steph Catley and Leah Williamson. Olsson kept the ball away from Williamson and lashed her strike into the bottom corner to bring the hosts level.
The home side enjoyed a strong period after equalising: a low Vivien Endemann cross forced urgent defending before Williamson cleared, and Ramos curled a free-kick that goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez tipped onto the crossbar. Liverpool then had a goal from Jenna Clark ruled out for offside against Endemann after a corner, with the assistant referee flagging despite the delivery towards Endemann having been inadvertently played off an Arsenal foot rather than being a deliberate forward pass.
Arsenal responded as Caitlin Foord fired narrowly wide and Grace Fisk produced a block to prevent Smith from close range after Foord had beaten Clark. Fisk had signed a new contract with Liverpool on Saturday. Russo restored Arsenal's lead in the final minute of the first half with a downward header from Baum’s cross that Khiara Keating could not reach.
The second half was less open but remained tense as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, almost finding one in the 89th minute when Cornelia Kapocs volleyed wide from an unmarked position and then had a shot blocked moments later. Gareth Taylor was reported to have reacted in disbelief as Liverpool pressed, but Arsenal held on for the 2-1 win.
The result handed Arsenal a WSL victory that eased some pressure on Renée Slegers and left Liverpool to rue the disallowed Clark goal as they were unable to find a late leveller.