Andy Spence insisted Everton are taking steps in the right direction despite marking their return to WSL 1 with defeat to Liverpool.
Second half goals from Natasha Harding and Niamh Charles earned the Toffees’ Merseyside rivals the win at the Select Security Stadium.
However it was a tough result to take for Everton, who more than matched their more established top-flight neighbours, with a team that saw all seven of their summer arrivals make their debuts.
“I told the girls after the game that I was disappointed for them not with them,” said Spence. “We have shown in the game that we are not a million miles off by any means.