Manchester City ended Liverpool's winning run in the Continental League Cup with a 2-0 victory at Prenton Park.
Liverpool took to the field on Wednesday night looking to continue their flawless form in the competition, with the Reds having already beaten Sunderland, Leicester and Blackburn Rovers in their cup run this season. Matt Beard's side needed a victory over Manchester City to top Group B and guarantee qualification for January's quarter-finals.
However, City - who started the evening three points behind Liverpool with a game in hand - travelled to Merseyside having won their last eight games in all competitions and hoping to get the better of the Reds for the second time this season after coming out on top in the sides' recent Women's Super League meeting.
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Beard made nine changes from the side that beat West Ham at the weekend, with 18-year-old defender Hannah Silcock given the nod at the back after her impressive display against Blackburn in the last round. The visitors also fielded a much-changed outfit, with nine changes from the side that cruised past Brighton on Sunday and England forward Lauren Hemp returning to the bench after missing the last month with a thigh injury.
The first chance of the game fell to Liverpool; Carla Humphrey laying the ball back to Missy Bo Kearns whose curling effort from the edge of the box was well saved by Sandy MacIver. The visitors had their own opportunity to take the lead after 18 minutes when Hayley Raso's driving cross across the face of goal just evaded Julie Blakstad at the far post.
With both sides struggling to find a way through, Filippa Angeldahl tried her luck with a speculative strike from distance but her dipping effort sailed just over the bar. Liverpool were forced into an early change with Katie Stengel replacing Charlotte Wardlaw after the Chelsea loanee picked up a knock shortly before the break.
Manchester City broke the deadlock after 57 minutes, Angeldahl rifling the ball home after Liverpool failed to clear a Blakstad corner. The visitors nearly made it two moments later, left-back Demi Stokes letting fly from outside the area but firing straight at Eartha Cumings.
Gareth Taylor's side did double their lead on the 74-minute mark, substitute Hemp dancing past the Liverpool defence down the left flank and putting the ball on a plate for Mary Fowler who coolly found the back of the net.
The result sees City climb above Liverpool to top Group B and put the Reds' qualification hopes on hold. However, Matt Beard's side are still likely to progress to the quarter-finals with the two best second place teams earning their place in the next round on a points per game basis.
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