da pinup bet： Manchester United have work to do ahead of the FA Cup final after suffering a 1-0 loss to Liverpool in a game that saw Matt Beard sent to the stands.

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Reds boss dismissed for protestsClark netted only goal of the gameWembley next up for Skinner's sideGettyTELL ME MORE

Mary Earps endured a frustrating afternoon between the sticks for the Red Devils, as they left far too many holes at the back. They did have the first chance of the game, but saw Leah Galton fluff her lines before Emma Koivisto somehow hit the post and fired wide with a glorious double chance for Liverpool.

Koivisto was then in the wars, as she clattered into the advertising hoardings, and Beard was sent to the stand for his protests to the match officials. Ella Toone spurned another good opportunity for United before the deadlock was broken in first-half stoppage-time when a short corner resulted in a ball dipping to the back post for Jenna Clark to bundle home.

Liverpool, who claimed a 2-1 win over the Red Devils back in December, looked the more likely to get a second early in the second half – with Earps called into action again, while Mia Enderby looped a long-range effort onto the roof of the net.

United also survived a loud penalty shout and, despite making a number of substitutions, were unable to find any kind of foothold in the game – with Sophie Roman Haug coming close to wrapping up the points in the closing stages. Marc Skinner faces a big week on the training ground to get his side ready for a shot at major silverware.

AdvertisementGettyTHE MVP

Liverpool defender Jenna Clark did boast a useful goalscoring record during her time with Glasgow City in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, and has finally brought that form to the English game. She displayed the instincts of a striker when lurking at the back post and waiting for a loose ball to drop her way, which it duly did as she was presented with the simplest of tasks of tapping home from a matter of inches. The Scotland international also helped to keep the likes of Toone and Nikita Parris at bay as she collected a welcome clean sheet.

GettyTHE BIG LOSER

Matt Beard saw his team emerge triumphant, but he was forced to watch much of the action from a seat in the crowd. Liverpool’s manager did not take kindly to seeing Koivisto bundled into the advertising boards midway through the first-half, and whatever he said to the fourth official did not go down well. He will now have to serve a touchline ban with one game left in the Reds’ bid to secure a fourth-place finish in the WSL.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Liverpool, who are now three points clear of United, will bring the curtain down on their 2023-24 campaign when taking in a trip to Leicester on May 18. The Red Devils will face Chelsea on the same day, but a bid for FA Cup glory is next on the agenda for them as they prepare to face Tottenham at Wembley Stadium next Sunday.