Alessia Russo & Arsenal off to a nightmare start! Gunners' marquee signing draws a blank as Liverpool earn shock win at Emirates Stadium on opening day of WSL season

Arsenal suffered a shock home defeat on the opening day of the Women's Super League season, as Liverpool spoiled Alessia Russo's debut.

TELL ME MORE: Miri Taylor scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool earned a surprise 1-0 win against Arsenal on the opening day of the 2023-24 WSL season. A new competition record was set as over 54,000 fans packed into the Emirates Stadium, with Jonas Eidevall's side having been in dire need of a bounce-back performance following their shock elimination from the Champions League qualifying stages last month. The hosts started well and looked to pile on the pressure, with Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum both spurning early chances. Eidevall opted to hand England star Alessia Russo her WSL debut for the Gunners, with the forward having joined the club as a free agent after leaving Manchester United. However, the 24-year-old only managed one shot on goal before being replaced by Stina Blackstenius after 73 minutes. Before that Liverpool silenced the Emirates with a wholly unexpected opener just after half-time. Taylor — formally of Arsenal — found the bottom left corner of Manuela Zinzberger's goal with an effort from inside the area, assisted by Missy Bo Kearns' cut-back. Arsenal continued to hammer away but just couldn't find a way past the stubborn visitors, who recorded their first WSL win against Arsenal since 2016.

THE MVP: Rachael Laws had a superb afternoon in the Liverpool goal, repelling everything the hosts threw at her to preserve her side's advantage. Honourable mentions should go to Arsenal's Foord, who gave everything to try and get her name on the scoresheet, and Liverpool's all-action midfielder and assist-provider Kearns.

THAT’S HOW TO START A SEASON