Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United: Marc Skinner's side finish second behind Chelsea in WSL
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WSL highlights: Lucia Garcia scores winner as Man Utd beat Liverpool
Manchester United missed out on the title despite defeating Liverpool to finish an impressive season with seven successive Women's Super League wins.
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.
They were heading for a frustrating draw until Lucia Garcia stepped off the bench to hit the winner for the second successive weekend.
However, 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.
Marc Skinner's side needed an early goal to put pressure on the Blues but it was Liverpool who went close to opening the scoring when Shanice van de Sanden's mis-hit cross nearly crept in.
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.
United miss out by two points
There was obvious disappointment at the full-time whistle among United's players at narrowly missing out on the title, but it must be remembered they have enjoyed their best campaign in women's football having only being formed in their current guise in 2018 as a second-tier club.
It has been a season of firsts for 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.
The United boss will spend the next four months, before the start of the 2023-24 season on 29 September, plotting a way to overcome Chelsea's dominance and secure the title for the first time.
Skinner said before the final game of the season that his players needed an unlikely set of circumstances to stop Chelsea from winning the league for the fourth successive season, and that they needed an early goal to keep the pressure on the leaders.
The United boss said he wanted to be kept informed about events 200 miles away at Select Car Leasing Stadium, where Chelsea were playing Reading, but this match was goalless when news reached Prenton Park that the Blues had taken the lead through Sam Kerr.
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.
Skinner became increasingly animated as his side's title hopes faded, but Garcia's goal at least ensured they finished a highly encouraging season on a winning note.
Hard-working Liverpool make United fight
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.
Liverpool did a fine job closing United down and limiting their opponents to just two attempts on target before half-time.
Beard's side suffered a 6-0 defeat at the hands of United at Leigh Sports Village in January but, roared on by an enthusiastic home following, they went toe-to-toe with their opponents before being sunk by Garcia's winner.
They finished the season in seventh in the 12-team league and well clear of relegation.
Liverpool boss Matt Beard: "We can be proud of what we have achieved this season but of course we want more. It's now about looking forward and making sure we improve next season.
"We will take a lot of confidence and belief from this season. We know we are a hard team to beat most of the time, give or take the odd occasion.
"We need to build on the confidence from the second half of the season. There will be a lot of players that go into next season in a much better head space."
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