Toone on song to help United continue bright start

Gareth Taylor was frustrated by his Liverpool side’s lack of energy in the first half, as the wait for their first points of the Women’s Super League season continued with a home defeat against Manchester United.

- Tom Garry

Ella Toone scored United's second goal after contributing to the opener

United, who fully merited their victory, had lost three of their previous four WSL meetings with Liverpool, but yesterday there appeared to be a significant gulf between the sides as the visitors extended their unbeaten start to the league campaign thanks to Hinata Miyazawa’s and Ella Toone’s goals.

“We got what we deserved in the first half,” the Liverpool head coach said. “We were very flat in the first half. [We had a] real upshot of energy in the second half [but] the disappointing part for me was really that energy in the first half, very flat. You’ve got to be there in the duels.”

Liverpool’s German goalkeeper, Rafaela Borggräfe, made her first WSL appearance and started her second consecutive game in all competitions, despite being under investigation by the Football Association for an alleged racist comment that was overheard by teammates and staff during preseason.