Liverpool lost 3-1 to Arsenal at Anfield on the final day of the Barclays Women’s Super League season.
First-half goals by Alessia Russo (two) and Mariona Caldentey secured victory for the visitors on Saturday afternoon.
Zara Shaw came off the bench and immediately pulled one back for Gareth Taylor’s side with around a quarter of an hour remaining, but the Gunners saw off any hopes of a late comeback.
The Reds – for whom Gemma Bonner and Gemma Evans made final appearances as second-half substitutes – ended Taylor’s first campaign in charge with three consecutive top-flight defeats and in 11th place in the table.
Stina Blackstenius and Alice Bergstrom traded early attempts that were comfortably saved before Arsenal firmly took charge of proceedings.
A superb stop by Jennifer Falk, who bested Caitlin Foord in a one-on-one, kept Liverpool on level terms, but the Reds ’keeper was beaten soon after as Russo’s cross drifted beyond its intended target of Blackstenius and into the net.
Falk then denied Blackstenius and Russo in quick succession, though the sustained pressure on her goal told again when Caldentey located the top corner from a tight angle following a clever short-corner routine.
And Arsenal extended their lead further eight minutes before half-time as Russo finished Victoria Pelova’s low cross first-time.
Taylor introduced Cornelia Kapocs at the break and her first involvement was to deliver a fine cross from the right flank that Beata Olsson was unable to connect with.
A huge roar greeted the legendary Bonner as she joined the action on the hour and Evans came on soon after, too.
Shaw was brought on at the same time as Evans and, seconds later, the Scouse teenager created a moment she will never forget – scoring for Liverpool at the Kop end.
Jenna Clark met Ceri Holland’s deep corner with a towering knockdown and Shaw pounced to convert the loose ball from close range.
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But, with time short and legs tiring, the Reds were unable to make further inroads into Arsenal’s lead and Renee Slegers’ team were good value for their win.
Liverpool: Falk, Bergstrom (Evans, 72), Clark, Fisk, Bernabe (Bonner, 60), Nagano, O’Sullivan, Maclean (Shaw, 72), Enderby (Kapocs, 46), Josendal (Holland, 60), Olsson.
Unused subs: Kirby, Shimizu, Csillag, Trueman.
