Manchester United continued their fine start to the Women’s Super League season with a dominant 2-0 victory against winless Liverpool at St Helens Stadium.
It took just four minutes for Marc Skinner’s side to take the lead, as Hinata Miyazawa met a Jess Park cross at the edge of the penalty area with a thumping strike that flew past WSL debutant Rafaela Borggrafe in the Liverpool goal.
In first-half injury time, Ella Toone finished calmly after Elisabeth Terland selflessly squared the ball to her to double United’s lead, just moments after Ceri Holland forced United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a smart stop.
It has been an emotional week for Liverpool after the death of their former manager Matt Beard last Saturday.
As they did during their League Cup win against Sunderland on Wednesday, the home fans sang his name in the 13th and 14th minutes, this time in the presence of Beard’s wife Debbie and mother Margaret.
“They [the players] all dealt with the emotions of it beautifully,” said United boss Skinner.
“But what I would say is that we need to celebrate the life [of Matt]. Debbie was in the stands, and I know she will want everyone to remember Matt exactly how he was in front of everyone.
“I’ve promised everyone that I will keep talking about him in our environment. The memory of him will live strong. As sad as it is, I think it’s time to turn that into the happiness and remembering him in the best possible way because he was an incredible human.”
United dominated the first half, with Skinner’s side enjoying 68.3% possession and taking 10 shots on goal.
Liverpool were presented with chances to get back into the game in the second half, but Cornelia Kapocs fired wide when through on goal before Tullis-Joyce denied Mia Enderby from close range.
Gareth Taylor’s hosts improved as the game went on, but still could barely lay a hand on a United outfit they had beaten in three of their previous four WSL meetings.
United are second in the table with 10 points from four games, while Liverpool remain pointless after three games with only goal difference keeping them off the bottom.