Match reportLFC Women beat Manchester United for fourth pre-season win in a row
Liverpool FC Women continued their preparations for the new campaign with a 2-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.
An own goal gifted Gareth Taylor’s side the lead early in the second half of the pre-season clash at Carrington.
A swift equaliser from Ella Toone brought United level but Ceri Holland restored the Reds’ advantage with what proved to be the winner.
The first half was extremely competitive but with very few big chances created.
The home side had the first opening, Liverpool goalkeeper Khiara Keating pushing out a corner to United full-back Jayde Riviere, whose snapshot was fired well wide.
Anna Josendal was operating at left-back once again for the Reds and it was her cross that offered the first opportunity for the visitors.
Marie Höbinger picked it up and her goalbound shot was blocked by Maya Le Tissier.
While United shaded possession, Vivien Endemann was a regular threat on the right flank for Liverpool, engaging in a good battle with Andrea Medina.
A flurry of activity around the half-hour mark almost brought goals at both ends.
Elisabeth Terland shrugged off the considerable attentions of Natalia Ramos – deputising again at centre-back – to bear down on Keating’s goal, but the striker dragged her effort wide of the post.
Two minutes later, Höbinger fed Cornelia Kapocs on the edge of the box and the Swede’s curling effort was about to nestle in the corner before Phallon Tullis-Joyce flung herself to her right to tip it around the post.
The second half had barely begun when the Reds took the lead in bizarre circumstances.
Le Tissier’s back-pass was touched by substitute Aurélie Csillag and the spin led to replacement goalkeeper Janina Leitzig diverting the ball into her own net.
A minute later, however, the home side equalised. Terland outmuscled Josendal on the byline and her cutback was turned home by Toone.
The visitors regained their composure, however, and with it also the lead just after the hour.
Fuka Nagano did well to release Endemann on the right and her delivery was headed back by Csillag and knocked into the net by a stretching Holland.
The partnership between Nagano and Endemann almost created a third for Liverpool, a lovely pass inside the full-back from the former allowing the Germany international to put in another dangerous cross, which just eluded Csillag right in front of goal.
The game was more open now, with the visitors looking the stronger side.
Another round of changes with just over 10 minutes left gave further opportunities for academy players Izzie Breen, Ella Jones and Vic Jones to get further minutes in a pre-season where they have shown plenty of promise.
And the Reds saw out the contest with relative comfort, Lea Schuller firing the only real chance for United well over the bar.
Liverpool will complete their pre-season fixtures in front of their own fans at St Helens Stadium next Sunday (August 30), hosting Durham.
Team
Liverpool: Keating, Kerr (Bergstrom, 46), Josendal (Agrez, 61), Clark, (Shaw, 78), Ramos, Nagano (Breen, 78), Höbinger (Maclean, 46), Kapocs (Itamura, 61), Endemann (E. Jones, 78), Holland (V. Jones, 78), Olsson (Csillag, 46).
Unused subs: Kirby, Kay.