Holland double seals Liverpool win over Brighton

Liverpool are now nine points ahead of bottom-placed Leicester City after beating Brighton

Ceri Holland's second-half double saw Liverpool edge past Brighton and move closer to Women's Super League safety.

But Liverpool were dominant and continually placed Brighton under pressure.

Holland tapped home a Shanice van de Sanden cross before making the most of a failed Emma Kullberg clearance to seal victory.

The Reds are now nine points clear of the drop zone with five games left to play.

Brighton, who have been much-improved under new boss Melissa Phillips, are only two points off the drop zone.

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Seagulls' momentum halted

Brighton had looked to be resurgent after beating Everton 3-2 in Phillips' first league game.

Days earlier, they were able to hold league leaders Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals until the final minute.

Victory at Liverpool would have given them a five-point buffer over bottom-placed Leicester City - and Terland's goal put them on course for back-to-back wins.

The Seagulls defended strongly in the first half to restrict Liverpool to a handful of efforts from distance.

The visitors also caused trouble for the Reds through England forward Katie Robinson, whose pace and footwork on the wings tormented Taylor Hinds.

But Liverpool were on top for the majority of the game and moved forward at breakneck speed, with experienced winger Van de Sanden's exposing Brighton's frailties from the first minute.

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The Netherlands international was their brightest spark and provided a creative influence down the wings, but nobody could meet her deliveries in the first half.

However Liverpool were much-improved after the break and found their cutting edge

Van de Sanden provided Holland's first as she surged down the right side before cutting the ball back for the Wales midfielder to tap home.

Then, Jasmine Matthews' long ball proved difficult for Kullberg to deal with and she passed the ball straight to Holland for her brace.

Brighton's remaining fixtures include matches against fellow strugglers Tottenham and Leicester City, as well as another game against Everton.

Phillips has already improved a side who had won only three games before she took the reins, but a big task is ahead as they look to retain their top-flight status.

For Liverpool manager Matt Beard, a nine-point buffer may just be enough to confirm safety in their first season since returning to the WSL.