The England star netted again, after scoring against Tottenham last week, but it wasn't enough to help Marc Skinner's side close the gap to Chelsea

Manchester United fans might've felt apprehensive on Sunday morning ahead of a Premier League clash with Liverpool, but the Red Devils were favourites to beat the Merseyside outfit in the Women's Super League a few hours earlier. And it looked like they'd have at least one win to celebrate when Ella Toone fired them into the lead with just three minutes on the clock.

But that perfect start was as good as it got for Marc Skinner's side as the visitors came back to condemn United to a 2-1 defeat that, if Chelsea beat newly-promoted Bristol City later, could leave them seven points off the top as the league's winter break begins.

United were quick out of the blocks and had something to show for it almost immediately, Toone pouncing on Leah Galton's recycled cross to arrow the ball past Teagan Micah in the Liverpool goal. Melvine Malard nearly doubled that lead moments later, but could only hit the side-netting after rounding the goalkeeper, while Millie Turner saw a bullet header crash against the crossbar.

But that was about it for opportunities for the home side. Instead, Liverpool got back into things, mainly thanks to Mel Lawley, who looked like she had the ball glued to her feet anytime she picked it up in the first half. Her mazy dribbles caused a serious problem for the United defence and created the visitors' equaliser, her cross inadvertently directed into the back of her own net by Turner.

The Reds then took the lead midway through the second half when, after some poor marking in the United box, Taylor Hinds was able to stroll into a central area on her own and direct Marie Hobinger's corner beyond Mary Earps.

The home side put Liverpool under the cosh as the final whistle loomed, but even with 12 minutes of added-time, they couldn't create an opportunity to at least rescue a draw, dropping points for the fifth time in the WSL this season after just 10 games.

GOAL rates United's players from Leigh Sports Village…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Mary Earps (7/10):

Made a fantastic save to deny Kearns. Didn't have much else to do.

Jayde Riviere (7/10):

Huge intervention to prevent a Liverpool equaliser a few minutes after United's opener. Got forward well.

Maya Le Tissier (6/10):

Made a crucial headed clearance in the second half as Liverpool piled on some pressure.

Millie Turner (6/10):

Unlucky not to score with a header that hit the crossbar, and even more unfortunate to concede an own goal. Came up with some big defensive contributions to even it out, though.

Hannah Blundell (5/10):

Had a problem dealing with Lawley all afternoon.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Katie Zelem (5/10):

Set-piece deliveries were good but she was sloppier than usual in possession.

Hayley Ladd (7/10):

Brilliant ball through for Galton in the build-up to the first goal. Won plenty of her battles in the middle of the park.

Ella Toone (7/10):

Fantastic movement and finish for United's opener. Showed nice footwork and took up good spaces to pose problems.

Getty ImagesAttack

Nikita Parris (5/10):

Drove at the Liverpool defence whenever she got on the ball but struggled to have a real impact.

Melvine Malard (6/10):

Looked at home, again, in a central role. Very close to a goal shortly after Toone's opener, held the ball up well and linked play nicely. Had little service, though.

Leah Galton (6/10):

Played a huge role in the first goal. Movement and directness was a danger for Liverpool, though she faded out of the game as it went on.

Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Lucia Garcia (5/10):

Had around 25 minutes to have an impact but couldn't do so.

Rachel Williams (5/10):

On at the same time as Garcia and also struggled to make a difference.

Geyse (N/A):

Only on for the last 15 minutes or so.

Lisa Naalsund (N/A):

Introduced at the same time as Geyse.

Marc Skinner (5/10):

Reverted to the same XI that beat Spurs last week but United were unable to really break down Liverpool's defence and create anything of note once the visitors had equalised. Subs couldn't make an impact, either.