Manchester City’s WSL title ambitions were all but scuppered after a shock 2-1 loss to mid-table Liverpool on Sunday. The Reds, invigorated by a close run-in with reigning champions Chelsea in midweek, dealt Gareth Taylor’s side a similarly early dose of pressure and saw their eager energy rewarded as Natasha Dowie exploited a lapse from Laura Coombs to open the scoring before Miss Bo Kearns cancelled out Lauren Hemp’s equaliser shortly after the interval.
Despite persistent attempts to mine an equaliser, with Hemp striking the underside of the crossbar late on, the efforts proved futile as Liverpool claimed all three points at Prenton Park and dealt City a second loss in their last four league matches.
The result leaves City six points adrift of Manchester United at the top of the WSL table at 50 points with just two fixtures remaining in the season.
A clash against United next could potentially overturn their title fortunes if Taylor’s side can emerge victorious, but with a heady title race already in full swing and Chelsea and Arsenal touting games in hand, City will have to rely on favours elsewhere if they hope to keep their title hopes alive.