Leicester battle back to deny Liverpool win in first match at new St Helens home

Liverpool started life in their new home at St Helens Stadium with a 1-1 Women’s Super League draw against Leicester.

The Reds signed a 10-year lease agreement to play their matches at the home of rugby league side St Helens in May, moving from Tranmere’s Prenton Park.

Liverpool, who did the double over the Foxes last season, started well in their new surroundings as they reached half-time 1-0 ahead courtesy of Sophie Roman Haug’s header.

But the visitors equalised eight minutes after half-time when Jutta Rantala produced an exquisite finish.

Liverpool midfielder Ceri Holland saw an effort well saved by Lize Kop, who also kept out Marie Hobinger and Lucy Parry.

Noemie Mouchon was denied by Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws and Ruby Mace fired over from the edge of the area for Leicester.

Haug nodded home Hobinger’s corner to give Matt Beard’s side, who won their final four games of last season, the advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Their lead did not last long though, with Rantala racing onto a fine long diagonal ball from Yuka Momiki and firing into the bottom corner.

Liverpool looked more threatening after that setback.

Holland had a back-post header pushed away by Kop and then delivered a cross that Gemma Bonner flicked over.

But Leicester thought they had won it in the fourth of seven added minutes, but Mace’s deft header from Rantala’s cross was ruled out for offside.