Figure caption,

Arsenal clinch second spot in WSL with win at Liverpool

At a glance

  • Alessia Russo scores in 21st minute before Mariona Caldentey doubles Arsenal's lead

  • Russo gets her second before the break

  • Zara Shaw scores consolation for Liverpool

  • Arsenal finish second in WSL, Liverpool end season in 11th

  • PLAYER RATER

ByMarissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal comfortably beat Liverpool at Anfield to finish second in the Women's Super League and clinch an automatic spot in the Women's Champions League.

The England striker opened the scoring after 21 minutes when her floated cross into the box evaded everyone and flew straight in.

Mariona Caldentey doubled Arsenal's lead with a powerful shot across goal after a well-worked short corner routine with Katie McCabe.

Russo added her second, firing into the top corner after she latched on to Victoria Pelova's low cross.

Despite being 3-0 down at the break, it could have been worse for home side but goalkeeper Jennifer Falk made brilliant saves to deny Stina Blackstenius and Emily Fox.

Zara Shaw netted a consolation in the 74th minute for the Reds, slotting in from close range.

As the runners-up in the WSL, Arsenal qualify for the league phase of the Champions League, with third-placed Chelsea entering in the third round of qualifying.

Liverpool end the season 11th in the table, eight points above bottom side Leicester City.

Analysis: Gunners end season on positive note

After drawing with Brighton in a result that sealed Manchester City's title win, Arsenal bounced back with three consecutive wins to finish the season in second place, four points off the top spot.

It was their longest winning streak since a run of six games between January to April this year but ultimately came too late in the campaign.

Russo's two goals meant she finished the season with 13, one more than she managed in 2024-25.

The departing McCabe provided an assist on her final appearance for Arsenal but despite three shots, was unable to score a farewell goal.

It was a disappointed end to an under-par campaign for Liverpool who spent much of the season concerned with relegation trouble but eventually managed to move clear of danger.

The Reds rarely troubled Arsenal, with Grace Fisk sending a shot wide and Beata Olsson and Denise O'Sullivan having efforts blocked.

They have lost their past three WSL matches and on the five occasions they have trailed at half-time in the league this season, they have lost every time.

While they avoided the relegation play-off, there is work to be done over the summer if Gareth Taylor's side are to make improvements.

Player of the match

Number: 23 A. Russo
Average rating 9.23
Number: 18 C. Holland
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 36 Z. Shaw
Average Rating: 4.94
Number: 28 J. Falk
Average Rating: 4.83
Number: 23 G. Bonner
Average Rating: 4.57
Number: 3 G. Evans
Average Rating: 4.50
Number: 11 B. Olsson
Average Rating: 4.47
Number: 4 G. Fisk
Average Rating: 4.44
Number: 19 K. MacLean
Average Rating: 4.39
Number: 8 F. Nagano
Average Rating: 4.30
Number: 13 M. Enderby
Average Rating: 4.20
Number: 6 D. O'Sullivan
Average Rating: 4.14
Number: 17 J. Clark
Average Rating: 4.09
Number: 29 Alejandra Bernabé
Average Rating: 3.71
Number: 7 C. Kapocs
Average Rating: 3.28
Number: 21 A. Jøsendal
Average Rating: 3.19
Number: 25 A. Bergström
Average Rating: 2.80

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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