Match reportLiverpool beaten at Manchester United in Women's League Cup

A goal in each half from Melvine Malard and Rachel Williams at Leigh Sports Village secured the win for the hosts despite an improved showing from the Reds after the break.

Matt Beard made nine changes to his Liverpool XI from the preceding Barclays Women’s Super League draw with West Ham United last Sunday.

Only goalkeeper Rachael Laws and defender Jasmine Matthews remained in the starting line-up, while there were first competitive starts for Cornelia Kapocs and youth product Zara Shaw.

The early pressure came from the home team with some good crosses into the box, albeit well dealt with, and Hannah Silcock was needed to make a strong challenge on an advancing Malard.

A minute later, Malard was in again, this time denied by Laws at her near post. The resulting corner was not properly cleared, however, and the same United player had too much space to volley home the opener on 10 minutes.

Five minutes later it could have been two, but a superb Yana Daniels interception stopped a tap-in and Celin Bizet curled a strong effort just wide.

The first threat from the Reds arrived on 25 minutes via a Matthews free-kick, though the header towards goal from captain Niamh Fahey drifted wide.

The likes of Kapocs, Shaw and Leanne Kiernan began to get on the ball a bit more, without the Reds really creating a clear chance by the time the half came to an end.

An improvement was needed and half-time substitute Taylor Hinds immediately began to make a difference down the left-hand side. A flowing team move almost got Mia Enderby in but Phallon Tullis-Joyce was out quickly to gather.

Great work from Shaw and Silcock then put Hinds away and her dinked cross only just missed dropping in via a deflection, while Kiernan poked an effort straight at the United goalkeeper after a promising run.

The hosts were still a threat, though, with Hinata Miyazawa firing straight off the post from a narrow angle.

And they were able to double their advantage just as Beard called for a further three changes from the bench.

Laws misdirected a ball out straight to a United player and one pass later Williams was drilling a finish into the net for a 2-0 lead.

Gemma Bonner, Fuka Nagano and Marie Höbinger arrived from the bench but the task was now a steep one.

Liverpool kept working, yet Bizet came closest to another goal, chipping just over after pinching the ball from Gemma Evans, and United assured the victory.

Team

Laws, Daniels, Silcock (Bonner, 68), Fahey, Matthews (Hinds, 46), Evans, Lundgaard, Shaw (Höbinger, 68), Kapocs, Kiernan (Nagano, 68), Enderby.

Unused subs: Spencer, Parry, Roman H., Smith.

Next up

Focus for Beard’s team now turns back to the WSL and a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (October 6). Kick-off is 2.15pm BST.

For ticket and free coach travel information, go here.