Liverpool rose to eighth, pushing Tottenham down to ninth, with a 2-0 home win over 11th-placed Reading.

Missy Bo Kearns and Ceri Holland scored in quick succession just after the hour as the Royals, who are four points better off than bottom side Leicester, suffered their fourth league loss in a row.

Speaking after the defeat, boss Kelly Chambers insists it is down to the players now to step up and fight.

"To concede two so soon after the first, we cannot allow that to happen. We got rolled over the pitch far too easily, so for us individually, we must do better – it’s as simple as that.

“So like I said, it’s hard to mention key moments, but the biggest thing moving forward is we have to stand up, and I’ll now be looking at players who prove they are willing to fight and step up on that pitch and give everything.

“Going into the break now, it’s conflicting, as there is a part of me that wants a game next weekend to put this one today behind us."