Durham Women saw their Continental Cup hopes end – despite a spirited second half display at Liverpool.
A Rinsola Babajide brace and Niamh Charles’ strike saw the Reds in command at the break, but Molly Sharpe’s strike reduced the deficit in the second half – but a late siege came to no avail.
The Prenton Park pitch passed an afternoon pitch inspection ahead of the game, but the conditions still proved testing on Merseyside as rain teemed down ahead of kick-off.
That didn’t deter Liverpool from starting on the front foot though, and they took a deserved lead on nine minutes when Babajide sent a shot arching into the top corner.
Durham pressed forward after falling behind with Danielle Cox – making her full debut – sending a shot narrowly over.
Sharpe then saw an effort parried by Fran Kitching after cutting inside, before Megan Borthwick made a similarly smart stop at the other end.
But it would be two just after the half hour after a quick set piece saw Babajide freed, and she fired into the top corner.
The winger then turned provider moments later as Liverpool got their third – Charles tapping home at the far post.
Durham looked much-improved after the break though, with Megan Bell testing Kitching early on and Kathryn Hill seeing a goal-bound flick held.
A deserved goal would come just before the hour though, as Sharpe sent a header soaring home after a Bell cross.
Sharpe then sent an effort narrowly wide before substitute Holly Manders saw her shot on the spin hacked off the line.
There would be no late drama though, despite a spirited effort from the Wildcats – who now exit the Continental Cup.