Two second-half goals from Lisa Naalsund helped Manchester United beat bottom of the table Liverpool and move up to second in the Women's Super League.

Alice Bergstrom had cancelled out Naalsund's opener to put the visitors on course for an unlikely result but a second for the Norway international and a strike late on from Frida Rolfo sealed the win for the hosts.

The first half was one of frustration for United with the visitors giving as good as they got in the early stages.

Marc Skinner's side had seven shots to the one of Liverpool but were never really able to test Jennifer Falk in the Liverpool goal.

United started much better in the second half and almost took the lead immediately, with Jessica Park forcing Falk into a fine save.

And their early pressure paid off when Naalsund put them in front on 51 minutes, finishing off a fine move with a finish into the top corner after a brilliant cut-back from Park.

That goal seemed to spark the visitors into life though and they equalised with their first attempt of the second half, Bergstrom poking home from close range after the hosts failed to clear a corner.

Gareth Taylor's side had barely finished celebrating when they fell behind again as Julia Zigiotti pinched the ball in midfield and played in Naalsund, who finished expertly into the bottom corner for her second of the game.

Park very nearly sealed the game late on but her half-volley was well palmed away by Falk.

But substitute Rolfo was able to put the result beyond doubt in the final few minutes, neatly slotting home from close range after a cut-back from Hanna Lundkvist.

The result means United move on to 28 points, eight behind leaders Manchester City, while Liverpool remain rooted to the bottom of the table with seven points.

The first 45 minutes had all the makings of a frustrating afternoon for Manchester United.

But whatever head coach Skinner said at the break had the desired effect because his team responded the second the whistle blew for the restart.

United were ruthless in the second half and showed why they now sit second in the WSL.

When Naalsund found the net for the first time in the 52nd minute, there was only ever going to be one winner.

After Liverpool equalised it took United just 53 seconds to retake the lead as Naalsund grabbed her second of the day.

Rolfo rounded off a superb second-half display with her late goal to add some gloss to the scoreline but it was no less than the hosts deserved.

"It's a really good day to start game one of a six match block," said Skinner.

"My challenge to the players now is to continue that charge and create a red army to run through the league hopefully."

Liverpool had enjoyed their best run of the season going into this game, three unbeaten and with a first win of the WSL campaign last time out against Tottenham Hotspur.

And at times the bottom side showed glimpses of that upturn in form.

In the first half they frustrated Manchester United and limited them to very little but at the same time, they were failing to create much of their own.

However, after the break came the stark reminder of why they are where they are, with individual mistakes and that lack of creativity the story of the day at Leigh Sports Village.

"At times we tried to play them at their game and they have been doing it for a long time and are a long way ahead of where we are," said manager Gareth Taylor.

"We can fail but we want to fail our way, playing our game.

"If we look at the game again, we had our moments.

"I just felt we gave away too much due to some of our own mistakes. We allowed United into that through some of our play."

Manchester United travel to Leicester City for their next Women's Super League fixture on Saturday, 7 January (12:00 GMT), while Liverpool host Aston Villa a day later on Sunday, 8 January (12:00 GMT).

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