Match reportContinental League Cup: Liverpool narrowly beaten by Manchester United
Liverpool fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat by Manchester United in the Continental League Cup on Wednesday night at Prenton Park.
The Group B contest began at a slow pace with neither side able to assert early dominance.
It was the visitors who would hold the slender lead at the half-time interval, though, after a spell of pressure resulted in the game’s opening goal.
Nikita Parris and Lucia Garcia first shot wide, while Reds goalkeeper Teagan Micah was forced to make a first save of the evening from the head of Rachel Williams.
At the other end, captain Niamh Fahey was inches away from a Missy Bo Kearns corner kick on her return to the team in what was the hosts’ best opportunity of the half.
United’s late dominance in the opening 45 minutes eventually paid off following a short corner that found the feet of Parris.
The visiting No.22 turned well on the edge of the box, before shooting high into the goal to break the deadlock heading into the interval.
Liverpool started the second half on the front foot and saw a good opportunity fall to Sofie Lundgaard, who had a shot blocked from inside the box following a low Kearns cutback.
The Reds continued to pressure the United backline as Mia Enderby fired a dangerous ball across the box after goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce failed to collect.
Matt Beard opted for a triple substitution just before the hour mark, with Fuka Nagano, Marie Höbinger and Sophie Roman Haug all introduced from the bench.
Leanne Kiernan also stepped into the contest a short while later and almost made an immediate impact, though saw her advances thwarted as she rounded the onrushing Tullis-Joyce.
Kearns then forced the goalkeeper into an impressive save from close range with the No.7 unleashing a vicious volley goalward amid more home pressure.
United responded with Garcia’s effort from distance seeing Micah make a stern save of her own, while Jenna Clark and Kearns again both went close in the latter stages of the match.
But Liverpool were unable to find a leveller and will conclude the group phase against Everton on December 13.
LFC Women: Micah, Parry, Clark, Fahey (Fisk, 46), Daniels, Taylor (Nagano, 59), Lawley, Lundgaard (Höbinger, 59), Kearns, Enderby (Kiernan, 68), Flint (Roman H., 59).
Unused subs: Laws, Koivisto, Hinds.
NEXT UP
The Reds return to Prenton Park and Barclays Women’s Super League action on Sunday afternoon (November 26) for a second home game in a week.
Brighton & Hove Albion are the visitors for a 2pm GMT kick-off, with supporters able to buy tickets for the fixture here.
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