WSLMatch report: LFC Women take fourth with defeat of Manchester United

It was Clark’s first Liverpool goal since her arrival last summer and came courtesy of a fourth assist of the week from Marie Höbinger deep into first-half injury time.

Sunday’s win at Prenton Park saw the Reds move three points clear in the battle for fourth with just one league game left to play.

Matt Beard named the same starting line-up that defeated Chelsea in a thrilling contest on Wednesday as his team looked to follow that up four days on.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors as a through ball beat a square back line and put Leah Galton in on goal, but her low effort was well saved by Teagan Micah.

Liverpool responded quickly, however, with Sophie Roman Haug’s aerial ability getting them up the pitch.

One header found an advancing Ceri Holland, who pulled a ball back to Taylor Hinds. Her shot from the angle was gathered by Mary Earps at the second attempt.

The Wales midfielder was in the action again a short time later, turning well before unleashing a fine shot from distance that carried just over the bar.

Set-pieces had been a major factor in the victory against Chelsea, and they nearly provided an opener for United with a quarter of an hour gone.

A corner from the right was cleared only to Millie Turner and from close range her low shot seemed destined for the net before a brilliant reaction save from Micah.

Earps wasn’t going to be outdone at the other end and within a minute Holland’s stunning volley had brought a flying stop from the United ’keeper.

Liverpool were well on top and after 20 minutes only the post denied them the lead.

Fisk put a ball into the box that eventually reached Emma Koivisto’s late run and she beat Earps to the ball but could only find the post with her header, also turning the rebound wide as she lost balance.

A flashpoint arrived in the game with fewer than 10 minutes left in the half.

Koivisto tried to reach a ball on the touchline but was blocked off by a United player and sent into a hoarding, suffering a head injury.

Beard made his feelings on the challenge clear to both the United bench and the officials, resulting in the Liverpool manager being shown a red card for his complaints.

Lucia Garcia was a threat on the United right and Ella Toone volleyed over from her cross, before a strong run from Mia Enderby at the other end brought a last-ditch tackle from Turner.

Six minutes of injury time finished the half and it brought the Reds a lead.

Höbinger worked a short corner with Hinds and delivered a superb ball across goal. Clark was lurking unmarked at the back post, and the Scot nudged home from close range.

The second half started in slightly calmer fashion, with Enderby the first to test a goalkeeper via a low drive that Earps gathered safely.

The young winger showed her pace just after the hour mark, latching on to a loose ball and rushing towards goal before unleashing a curling effort just too high.

Enderby was involved again in a lovely move that brought a strong penalty appeal for the Reds on 65 minutes.

Her flick released Höbinger and, when she crossed, Roman Haug seemed to be pushed in the back as she tried to reach it, but the referee rejected appeals.

There was a scare for the Reds with 20 minutes left as Micah’s clearance cannoned into Garcia. The rebound was kind, however, and the ball was cleared.

Liverpool had the chance to put the contest beyond United with 10 minutes left as a fine cross from Hinds on the left was met by the head of Roman Haug, who could only place it over the bar.

As five minutes of injury time began, the Norwegian striker had another great opening but fired just wide from a tight angle.

Once again, Micah was needed to make a dramatic late save to keep the win intact, springing to her left to claw away a looping header from Melvine Malard.

The Reds held firm to clinch the points in front of a 4,567-strong crowd, bidding farewell to Prenton Park in style ahead of their move to St Helens Stadium next season.

TEAM

LFC Women: Micah, Koivisto (Daniels, 90), Hinds, Bonner, Clark, Fisk, Nagano, Holland, Höbinger, Enderby (Kiernan, 77), Roman H. (Lawley, 90).

Unused subs: Spencer, Parry, Leath.

NEXT UP

Beard’s charges will complete their 2023-24 campaign with a trip to Leicester City on Saturday May 18 (3pm BST kick-off).

For details on tickets and travel for the clash at King Power Stadium, go here.