Match reportLiverpool beaten by Manchester United in WSL

Sunday’s match at Leigh Sports Village was decided by quickfire goals from Elisabeth Terland and Leah Galton before the break, plus second-half strikes by Dominique Janssen and Melvine Mallard.

The Reds began brightly but their task was made near-insurmountable when Terland and Galton scored in minutes 33 and 34 and Matt Beard’s team have now lost three consecutive top-flight games.

Taylor Hinds and Ceri Holland each had sights of goal as Liverpool set the early pace, before Fuka Nagano saw a shot saved after she had intercepted Millie Turner’s pass, strode forward and let fly from 20 yards.

United, though, grew into the contest and Terland failed to keep her attempt down after she had been found by Jayde Riviere’s cross to the back post.

However, Terland made no such mistake soon after. The ball fell kindly to the Norway striker after Geyse’s effort had been blocked and she coolly dispatched her finish in off the post.

And, just moments later, it was two as Galton latched onto Janssen’s pass over the top and blasted home with her left foot.

With the Reds having to push on in search of goals after the interval, United were able to exploit the space that left and only a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Gemma Bonner prevented Galton from grabbing her second of the afternoon.

But United did increase their lead on the hour when Janssen located the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Teagan Micah then did well to palm Grace Clinton’s shot from range wide, but the Liverpool goalkeeper was beaten again with a little under 10 minutes remaining as Mallard volleyed in Janssen’s delivery to the back post.

Team

Liverpool: Micah, Fisk (Daniels, 77), Bonner, Matthews (Clark, 63), Hinds, Nagano, Shaw, Holland (Duffy, 90), Enderby (Fahey, 77), Smith, Kapocs (Kiernan, 63).

Unused sub: Spencer.

Next up

Liverpool return to action on Wednesday evening when they host Everton at St Helens Stadium in the Women's League Cup (6pm GMT kick-off). Watch the tie live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO.

• Get the latest LFC Women ticket details here