Liverpool moved to fourth in the table at the expense of Manchester United as Jenna Clark's first-half goal proved the difference in the Women's Super League clash on Sunday

Liverpool boss Matt Beard watched from the stands as his side recorded a 1-0 win over Manchester United after being sent off by official Melissa Burgin for protesting an ugly challenge against his player.

After the Reds relished a dramatic victory over defending league champions Chelsea to dent manager Emma Hayes' bid for an historic fifth successive league title, Beard's side set their sights on another big upset against last season's runners-up United.

A win at Prenton Park would see Liverpool move three points clear of Marc Skinner's underperforming Red Devils in the table and boast a tight grip on fourth place heading into the season's final weekend.

Liverpool could claim the stronger start, attacking in numbers and testing United goalkeeper Mary Earps. But the tone of the first-half was established early as a gritty battle with sparse moments of quality played out.

With less than half an hour gone, Grace Fisk had to be fitted fitted with a Terry-Butcher-esque bandage after a head injury and shortly after Liverpool's Emma Koivisto collided with the advertising hoarding along the touchline after what appeared to be a poor challenge from United defender Gemma Evans.

And Beard, visibly incensed by both the challenge and perceived impunity with which Evans was treated, was swiftly handed his marching orders after some apoplectic remonstrations of official Burgin. The sending off means Beard will have to watch Liverpool's final game of the season - away to Leicester City on 18 May - from the stands.

Beard was seen sitting in the Prenton Park stands for the duration of the game. And whatever sense of injustice Liverpool felt at the dismissal of their manager only served as fuel as the hosts revelled in yet another set-piece goal after Jenna Clark was left completely unmarked at the back post and swept home Marie Höbinger scuffed effort.

The goal was the least the hosts deserved. United were far from their best and spurned their better chances, only hitting the target three times with efforts which didn't do much to trouble keeper Teagan Micah.

While victory over United would not register the same shock as the mid-week triumph over Chelsea, it certainly represents the latest laurel for Beard in a resounding season.

Liverpool suffered a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of United last season, but have now recorded successive wins over Skinner's side in the latest sign of both team's respective evolutions. The Reds remain on track to record their best league finish since 2016-17, while United could finish almost 20 points off the league leaders after pushing the Blues to the brink last campaign.