Vivianne Miedema’s first goal since December 2022 helped lift Arsenal to a vital 2-0 victory over Liverpool to ensure her side kept pace with Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea.

Miedema, who sat out 312 days with an anterior cruciate ligament injury before making an October comeback, benefitted from a fine outing from January signing Emily Fox, who was involved in the build-up to both goals.

Nine minutes after the Dutch international broke the deadlock on the hour mark, Caitlin Foord doubled her side’s advantage with her left foot to seal victory on what was both boss Jonas Eidevall’s 41st birthday and 100th match in charge.

Leah Williamson, who returned from her own ACL recovery as a substitute in Arsenal’s midweek Conti Cup victory over Reading, was named in the Gunners squad but did not play.

Alessia Russo had an early chance to test Liverpool keeper Rachael Laws when she latched onto Victoria Pelova’s pass but could not find the finishing touch as she rolled the ball weakly toward Laws.

There was a scare for Matt Beard’s side when Laws needed treatment, but the shot-stopper was allowed to continue and was quickly thrust back into the thick of Arsenal’s attack, when Lotte Wubben-Moy sent a dangerous header in the direction of Foord at a post, the Reds inches from conceding but saved by Grace Fisk’s clearance.

A poor turnover from Liverpool, who had otherwise looked solid in defence, allowed Miedema to tap back to Pelova, who fired straight at Laws from distance, and the deadlock remained intact when Fox shot into the side-netting just past the half-hour mark.

Beth Mead struck the same spot directly from a corner, while Shanice van de Sanden nodded a rare Liverpool chance wide.

There was a flurry of chances for both sides just before the break, Arsenal coming closest to an opener when Wubben-Moy nodded the Gunners’ sixth corner into Laws’ arms, then came Liverpool’s best opportunity of the first period.

Yana Daniels broke free down the left channel and her cross to Melissa Lawley was perfect, but the forward fired over before Laws saved Gemma Bonner’s attempt in added time.

Liverpool’s defensive resolve remained strong after the restart, frustrating the Gunners who finally took the lead through Miedema on the hour mark.

It began with a fine effort from Fox, who cut her way through a sea of red shirts before picking out the Netherlands international, whose shot deflected off the unfortunate Bonner and out of Laws’ reach.

Fox was also involved in the build-up to Arsenal’s second, finding Russo who squared across to Foord, whose left-footed finishing touch doubled the Gunners’ lead in the 69th minute.

Late chances went the Gunners’ way, Stina Blackstenius lofting over Laws and the Liverpool net before forcing the Reds keeper into a save with another late effort.

Manuela Zinsberger denied Mia Enderby to preserve Arsenal’s clean sheet, while Blackstenius came inches away from a late third.

vivianne-miedemas-first-goal-since-december-2022-helps-arsenal-beat-liverpool