Liverpool 2-0 Reading: Quick-fire double earns Reds vital win in WSL relegation battle

Two quick-fire goals earned Liverpool a vital win against Women's Super League relegation rivals Reading.

Missy Bo Kearns scrambled in the opening goal in the 62nd minute, before Ceri Holland slammed in from close range three minutes later.

Victory moved Liverpool eight points above the WSL relegation zone.

Reading have lost all seven of their away league games this season, and are four points above bottom club Leicester having played two matches more.

Prior to Liverpool's opening goal, Kelly Chambers' side had gone close to scoring at Prenton Park, as they sought a first league away point in this campaign.

Emma Harries hit the crossbar early on and both teams had efforts cleared off the line, but neither found a breakthrough until the second half.

Emma Koivisto latched onto a looping cross from midfield and slid through for Kearns to slot into the bottom left-hand corner.

Megan Campbell's massive throw-in was then nodded on at the near post to set up a simple tap-in for Holland to claim Liverpool's second goal.

The result meant Reading are now four points behind the Reds, who gained promotion from the Championship last season.

Reading had won their past three away league matches against Liverpool, and almost took the lead when Harries struck the woodwork after meeting a lovely cross from captain Emma Mukandi.

Their primary goal threat this season has come from set-pieces - a WSL-low seven of their 14 league goals have been from open play - and it was from dead balls where they were again most dangerous here.

On 36 minutes they caused panic in the Liverpool area when Reds goalkeeper Rachael Laws failed to claim a floated cross and the the ball was eventually cleared off the line.

Liverpool themselves were denied in similar fashion after Holland's header beat visiting keeper Jacqueline Burns.

A frantic game seemed destined to end in a draw, which would satisfy neither side, until Matt Beard's side struck twice to seal back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.