Deploying a 4-1-4-1 formation for the second successive fixture, it appears manager Gareth Taylor has now settled on his Liverpool tactics following his arrival in the summer.
The Reds sit deep and look to stifle any creativity from their opponents. It is acknowledgement from Taylor of his side’s attacking limitations.
They do still try to play out from the back when possible, but mistakes from Borggrafe allowed the hosts their two best scoring chances.
They created almost nothing going forward and, while replays indicated Parris may have caught Borggrafe for the penalty rather than the other way around, they could have no complaints about losing the game.
Including the previous campaign, the Reds have now suffered six successive WSL defeats for the first time since 2012.
Taylor, who has lost four straight league matches for the first time in his managerial career, this week claimed he “never felt, even in pre-season, that it would be a quick fix” to revive their fortunes.
On this evidence, Reds fans should hunker down for a tough, uninspiring season.