The Red Devils put in their worst display of the season as their league title hopes went up in smoke
Manchester United's Women's Super League title hopes are all but over after a 3-1 defeat to a clinical Liverpool on Friday night.
United dominated the vast majority of the first half, with Celin Bizet and Grace Clinton bringing good saves out of Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws.
But the hosts took the lead completely against the run of play when Olivia Smith burned past United's defence and then fired underneath stopper Phallon Tullis-Joyce in the 42nd minute.
Fuka Nagano made it 2-0 when she swept home in style to finish off a rapid counter-attack to stun the visitors in first-half stoppage time.
Things went from bad to worse for United when Gabby George, who had been limping, was taken off early in the second half as their frustrations mounted.
Jayde Riviere then scythed down Cornelia Kapocs in the box and Smith dispatched the resulting penalty in the 67th minute against the shellshocked Red Devils.
Maya Le Tissier buried a clinical finish into the corner one minute from time but it meant little as United lost just their second game of the league season as their seven-match winning run ended.
The result meant United, who still have the division's meanest defence, dropped to third in the table after Arsenal's win at Everton. Marc Skinner's side are now eight points behind league-leaders Chelsea with just six matches remaining.
GOAL rates United's players from Anfield…
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Phallon Tullis-Joyce (4/10):
Has had a brilliant season but made an uncharacteristic error for Liverpool's opener and that seemed to open the floodgates for the hosts.
Jayde Riviere (5/10):
Made some good attacking forays into Liverpool's half but gave away a clumsy penalty to put the game out of United's reach.
Maya Le Tissier (7/10):
Fired some nice long balls over the top but she wasn't as assured as usual at the back. Took her goal with aplomb, though.
Millie Turner (5/10):
Didn't do a huge amount wrong but her defence was cut apart too easily when the team looked in control.
Gabby George (5/10):
Sometimes struggled with the pacey Smith and then was taken off before the hour mark with a suspected injury.
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Grace Clinton (4/10):
Was a threat in attack early on but maybe could have done a bit more to stop the speedy Smith for Liverpool's first goal. Then faded quite badly.
Dominique Janssen (4/10):
Didn't do a great deal when her team were in the ascendency and lost control as the game wore on.
Ella Toone (4/10):
The England international has been in excellent form of late but that appeared to desert her on Merseyside.
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Celin Bizet (7/10):
Was United's best and most threatening player in the first half and still was a nuisance in the second.
Elisabeth Terland (5/10):
The former Brighton striker had a quiet game as Liverpool's defence kept her in check. But she needs more service up front.
Leah Galton (4/10):
Was quite anonymous at Anfield and Melvine Malard seemed to do more in her cameo than the experienced forward did in 75 minutes.
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Anna Sandberg (7/10):
Had a good tussle with Smith and largely held her own.
Rachel Williams (6/10):
Showed the right attacking intent off the bench.
Hinata Miyazawa (6/10):
Wasn't afraid to try her luck on goal.
Aoife Mannion (6/10):
Was competent enough when called upon.
Melvine Malard (6/A):
Looked lively when she came on and should have started.
Marc Skinner (4/10):
His team looked a confident side for much of the first half and played some eye-catching football but they were hit by two sucker punches out of the blue. There was no real reaction from United in the second half and maybe he should have gone to the bench earlier. Maybe their worst performance of the season.