Liverpool lost 2-0 to Manchester United in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Goals by Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone that bookended the first half were the difference at St Helens Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds were more competitive after half-time – following a first 45 minutes during which they were put under sustained pressure – but were unable to find a way back into the contest and remain in search of their first point in the top flight this season.
A wave of early pressure from the visitors had already resulted in Gemma Evans making a last-ditch block to thwart Elisabeth Terland before Miyazawa’s fourth-minute opener.
The ball sat up for Miyazawa to strike from 18 yards out and the Japan international caught it sweetly, with her half-volley crashing in off the post.
After Liverpool full-back Lily Woodham had been substituted due to injury, Miyazawa very nearly doubled United’s lead. This time, though, her left-footed drive hit the outside of the woodwork and rebounded to safety.
The Reds were being forced back and only a fine save by WSL debutant Rafaela Borggrafe prevented Marc Skinner’s side from going further ahead as the goalkeeper got down sharply to save another Terland effort.
A deflected Ceri Holland shot was tipped onto the post by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce as Liverpool enjoyed their first spell in the visitors’ defensive third but, in first-half stoppage time, the visitors got their second goal.
Terland dispossessed Evans and unselfishly rolled the ball into the path of Toone, who had the simple task of slotting home.
Terland almost got through on goal soon after the restart, but Gemma Bonner – making her 200th WSL appearance – produced a fine challenge to quell the danger.
Liverpool then enjoyed their best period of the match, with both Kirsty Maclean and Cornelia Kapocs missing presentable chances to halve the deficit.
First, Maclean skewed her shot following good work down the right by Holland, before the No.18 found Kapocs’ run in behind with an excellent flick-on. Kapocs, however, could only shoot wide under pressure from Jayde Riviere.
With 10 minutes left, Mia Enderby was denied by Tullis-Joyce in a one-on-one and with that, the Reds’ hopes of mounting a comeback were gone.
Team
Liverpool: Borggrafe, Fisk, Bonner, Evans (Clark, 59), Woodham (Shimizu, 21), Nagano, Kerr, Maclean, Holland, Roman H. (Enderby, 46), Kapocs.
Unused subs: Kirby, Parry, Szymczak, Olsson, Lundgaard, Silcock.
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