Saturday’s game at Progress with Unity Stadium was a tight, evenly matched contest that was decided in the hosts’ favour by Julia Zigiotti’s early goal.
United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made a superb double save and then tipped a Beata Olsson effort onto the post, while the home team also hit the woodwork through Jess Park.
The Reds pushed hard for an equaliser that ultimately never came and head into the October international break having taken seven points from their opening five WSL games of the season.
United began on the front foot and the early pressure on Liverpool’s goal told six minutes in.
Khiara Keating misplaced a pass aimed for Kirsty Maclean, allowing Zigiotti to steal in and clip her finish over the stranded ’keeper.
The Reds responded well, though, and were getting joy down the right flank, with Alice Bergstrom’s speed and directness causing issues for the hosts.
Only a remarkable intervention Tullis-Joyce, who denied Cornelia Kapocs and Olsson in quick succession, prevented an equaliser and Alejandre Bernabe was crowded out as she sought to convert a loose ball soon after.
But United so nearly made it 2-0 when Park hit the crossbar from the edge of the area, with Keating then making a sharp stop to thwart Andrea Medina.
Olsson again went close as the half drew to a close, the Liverpool striker seeing her snap-shot tipped onto the post by Tullis-Joyce.
The visitors continued their search for a leveller after the restart and Bernabe’s effort, made possible by an incisive pass by Maclean, was saved by Tullis-Joyce.
Bergstrom was again the Reds’ primary out-ball and her inviting low cross towards Olsson was intercepted at the last by Hanna Lundkvist.
Liverpool’s best chance of the half was fashioned from a set-piece with 20 minutes remaining as substitute Marie Höbinger sent a corner to the back post, but Jenna Clark failed to get a clean contact on her header.
Gareth Taylor looked to his bench again soon after and Mao Itamura came on for her Reds debut. Her first real involvement was to link up cleverly with Höbinger, whose attempt was comfortably saved by Tullis-Joyce.
Liverpool kept going as time ebbed away, but United stood firm in the face of the late pressure to claim all three points.
Team
Liverpool: Keating, Kerr, Clark, Fisk, Bernabe, Nagano, Maclean (Höbinger, 58), Ramos (Itamura, 77), Bergstrom (Enderby, 84), Kapocs, Olsson.
Unused subs: Kirby, Woodham, Shaw, Breen, McDonald, Trueman.
Next up
Liverpool return to WSL action with a trip to Aston Villa following the international break.
Kick-off at Keys Park is at 2pm BST on Sunday October 18 and tickets are available to book here.
