90’+4’Full TimeSecond Half ends, Liverpool Women 0, Manchester United Women 1.90’+3’Attempt missed. Lucy Staniforth (Liverpool Women) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Kirsty Linnett.90’+2’Corner, Liverpool Women. Conceded by Mary Earps.90’+1’Attempt blocked. Kirsty Linnett (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lucy Staniforth.90’+1’Attempt blocked. Lucy Staniforth (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kirsty Linnett.90’Corner, Liverpool Women. Conceded by Mary Earps.Manchester United missed out on the title despite defeating Liverpool 1-0 on the final day of the season. United needed a win to give themselves a chance of overtaking Chelsea, who were two points ahead of them in the standings, but it looked like they were heading for a draw until Lucia Garcia stepped off the bench to hit the winner for the second successive weekend. Chelsea won 3-0 at bottom club Reading to clinch the title for a fourth consecutive season after finishing on 58 points – two more than United.
Manchester United went into the final day of the season with a chance of securing a first WSL triumph but, starting the match two points behind Chelsea, they needed a win to give themselves a chance of overhauling the leaders at the final hurdle. United were heading for a frustrating draw until Garcia stepped off the bench to hit the winner for the second successive weekend. United’s fans, who filled the away end of the ground, had been in fine voice before the game but there was a subdued atmosphere after they learned Chelsea had doubled their lead before half-time.
Nikita Parris headed straight at Rachael Laws before the Liverpool keeper deflected Parris’ attempt on to a post at the end of the first half. United keeper Mary Earps made a fine diving stop to deny Emma Koivisto before Garcia’s lovely finish gave United’s large travelling support in the 5,778 crowd – a record for a Liverpool women’s game at Prenton Park – something to cheer.
It has been a season of firsts for United boss Marc Skinner’s side. A top-two finish, a place in the Women’s Champions League, and reaching a first Women’s FA Cup final all represent a huge step in the right direction. Liverpool did a fine job closing United down and limiting their opponents to just two attempts on target before half-time. Liverpool boss Matt Beard said on the eve of the season that the aim was to stay in the WSL and “be as competitive as we can” after winning promotion from the Championship. They have certainly been that in front of their own fans, and can look forward to another season in the top tier after several impressive performances, including wins over Chelsea and Manchester City.
Despite missing out on the title, United have enjoyed their best campaign in women’s football having only being formed in their current guise in 2018 as a second-tier club. Skinner will spend the next four months plotting a way to overcome Chelsea’s dominance and secure the title for the first time. Liverpool finished the season in seventh in the 12-team league and well clear of relegation. Beard said his side will take a lot of confidence and belief from this season and need to build on it for next season.