Several players gained valuable minutes as Everton were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool in the Continental Tyres League Cup on Wednesday evening.

Toni Duggan’s rasping drive in second-half stoppage-time wasn’t quite enough to earn the Blues three Group B points on the night.

The match at Walton Hall Park saw manager Brian Sorensen give 16-year-old Macy Settle her first senior appearance in Blue, with Annie Wilding, Alyssa Aherne and Karoline Olesen also featuring.

The visitors started strongly and broke the deadlock on five minutes through Sophie Roman Haug, who flicked Missy Bo-Kearns’ low corner across Emily Ramsey and into the bottom left corner.

Ramsey did well to hold a powerful header from the same player minutes later and tip another over the bar just after the half hour mark, with the Reds finding attacking joy down their right.

Everton continued to defend resolutely, led by captain Megan Finnigan in a 3-4-3 formation, and enjoyed periods of possession without troubling Reds goalkeeper Rachael Laws.

Sorensen made two changes at the break, introducing Heather Payne for Clare Wheeler and Hanna Bennison for Aurora Galli.

However, the second half started in a similar vein to which the first ended as Ramsey pulled off a smart save to deny Jenna Clarke before Liverpool doubled their advantage.

Yana Daniels scrambled in from close range following a Kearns corner, a move that saw Ramsey pick up an injury and be replaced by Courtney Brosnan.

That goal sparked the Blues into life as substitute Payne did well to beat her defender and cross for Toni Duggan, but the striker’s backheel lacked the power needed to trouble Laws.

More changes saw Settle make way for Nathalie Bjorn and Sara Holmgaard replace Megan Campbell, with the Blues now pushing forward when given the opportunity.

Republic of Ireland number one Brosnan then did well to thwart Leanne Kiernan one-on-one before Blues midfielder Emma Bissell was denied by Laws and Duggan hit the outside of the post from range in stoppage-time.

Everton were able to pull one back late on when Sara Holmgaard laid the ball off to Duggan whose thunderous strike arrived high into the Liverpool net.

The Toffees round off 2023 with the visit of Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday 17 December (1pm GMT).

Speaking post-match, Brian Sorensen said: “With the amount of changes we had, it was hard to ask or any more from the girls. At times we did really well with the ball but, of course, we knew it would be hard in spells too.  

“We were chasing a second goal and had chances at the end so, overall, I’m pleased.”

The manager also provided an update on Emily Ramsey, who came off injured shortly before the hour mark.

“Unfortunately she twisted her ankle – I think she might have saved it after it came off the post had she not. We don’t know how serious it is yet, but we are of course hoping for the best.”