Report: Liverpool 0 United Women 2

Marc Skinner made two changes from the side that drew with Arsenal a week ago, with Jayde Riviere returning from the minor injury that had ruled her out, and Elisabeth Terland also back in as Celin Bizet Donnum moved to the bench and Anna Sandberg was absent through illness.

A stunning early strike from Hinata Miyazawa set the tone, while Ella Toone doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time – scoring the 300th United goal under Skinner in the process.

One other thing to note from the afternoon is that Maya Le Tissier has now equalled the WSL record for consecutive starts, with this her 70th in a row. She could now break that on Friday night when Chelsea come to visit in Leigh.

FIRST HALF

Liverpool enjoyed a 5-0 win in the Women's League Cup in midweek but were winless in the WSL coming into the game and United immediately put the hosts under pressure. There was an early warning from Terland when Liverpool failed to clear a ball into the box, but only four minutes were on the clock when Miyazawa spectacularly fired United ahead.

Jess Park's ball across the box from the right flank eventually found Hini on the edge of the box, unleashing a first-time left-footed shot that had goalkeeper Rafaela Borggrafe rooted to the spot.

The chances continued to freely flow for United, pinning Liverpool firmly into their own half. An opportunity saw Terland lift the ball over the top after being played in by Park, while Jayde Riviere blasted one wide from a similar position to her recent goal against London City Lionesses.

After Liverpool were forced into a 21st-minute injury substitution, United dominance persisted and Miyazawa almost got her second of the game when another powerful left-footed shot cannoned off the post. Julia Zigiotti Olme was also ruing a missed header, while Borggrafe saved low from Terland.

With United dominating the ball since the opening kick-off, Phallon Tullis-Joyce had been little more than a spectator for the first 44 minutes. But the delicate nature of a 1-0 lead was highlighted when Ceri Holland's shot was tipped onto the post by our no.91.

The response was a crucial second goal going into the break, sparked by Terland outmuscling former United defender Gemma Evans deep in Liverpool territory. She squared for Toone, who calmly finished from near the penalty spot in stoppage time before the interval.

SECOND HALF

Liverpool emerged from half-time with more spark and might have done better when the ball fell to Kirsty Maclean in the middle of the box, unable to make clean contact and missing the target. United then had Riviere to thank at the hour mark for putting Cornelia Kapocs, through on goal after a long punt forward from the home side, under just enough pressure so that the finish flew wide.

United sought to try and reclaim control of the game as the second half progressed, with Skinner opting for fresh legs from the bench in Bizet Donnum and Gabby George on either side of the back four, and Rolfo pushing further forward.

Playing her part in securing a sixth clean sheet in eight games across all competitions so far this season, Tullis-Joyce was called into action with just over 10 minutes to go, getting down low to save from Liverpool substitute Mia Enderby.

The final result takes an unbeaten United onto 10 points for the league campaign after four games.

MATCH DETAILS

Liverpool: Borggrafe; Fisk (c), Bonner, Evans (Clark 59), Woodham (Shimizu 21); Nagano; Holland, Kerr, Maclean, Kapocs; Haug (Enderby 46).

Subs not used: Kirby, Parry, Lundgaard, Silcock, Szymczak, Olsson.

Booked: Kapocs, Haug.

United: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere (Bizet Donnum 67), Le Tissier (c), Janssen, Rolfo; Zigiotti, Miyazawa; Park (Naalsund 85), Toone, Malard (George 77); Terland (Williams 85).

Subs not used: Middleton-Patel.

Goals: Miyazawa 4, Toone 45+2.

Booked: Riviere.

Attendance: 3,022.