Nikita Parris rescued Manchester United at Prenton Park on Wednesday night with a stunner that lit up a stale Continental Cup performance.
She found the back of the net just before the break in spectacular fashion - with her back to goal, she cut inside, beat Missy Bo Kearns and hit the target from outside the box for the 1-0 win.
Parris’ goal had injected life into United who had looked uncharacteristically static in the final third following their derby defeat on Sunday. But they got a rude awakening in the second half when Liverpool came out fighting, leaving United scrapping for clearances and a chance to breathe.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce kept United ahead with some sensational diving saves. The ‘keeper learned from Mary Earps’ faux pas at the weekend and denied another ricochet-style goal similar to the one conceded against City by taking out the threat, Leanne Kiernan, who was charging at United’s goal.
Overall, it was another awkward and disjointed performance for United, Lucia Garcia was often the lone enforcer, trying to put pressure on the Liverpool defence on several occasions, while her fellow teammates sat back and let the hosts pass around the Spaniard. Marc Skinner seemed to have adopted a deeper shape, requiring some disciplined restraint from the eager forward.
Nevertheless, Garcia worked that left flank hard, was involved in a lot of transitional play and provided the majority of chances for United, helped along by Rachel Williams and Hayley Ladd.
Ella Toone’s performance was lacklustre again, giving the ball away cheaply and in a dangerous position at times, or was far too late to react. Something’s not quite clicking for the number seven this season, there's an air of frustration with every move or uncompleted pass from the 24-year-old. She had moments of magic, dancing her way between two red shirts on occasion, but that’s about as good as it got.
Skinner's side now turn their focus back to Women's Super League action at Ashton Gate against Bristol City on Sunday November 26 kicking off at 12:30.
