(Lizzie Arnot celebrates scoring the winner with her teammates. Photo: Manchester United Women on Twitter)

Manchester United made a brilliant start to women's football after a 13-year hiatus with a hard fought 1-0 defeat of Liverpool in the Continental Tyres Cup.

 Playing a competitive match for the first time since February 2005, United showed class and were composed against their higher division opponents at Prenton Park.

The new-look Manchester United Women team coached by Casey Stoney had the first chance at goal but Lizzie Arnot saw her effort go off the target.

Jess Sigsworth of United nodded a cross past the post from a resulting corner-kick before Liverpool's goal was cancelled out for an earlier foul.

Just before the break, Liverpool keeper Anke Preuss made two fantastic saves to deny Alex Greenwood and Sigsworth on different occasions as the game ended goalless in the opening minutes.

At the restart of the encounter, Liverpool threatened at the other end and began to find their feet in the contest with Courtney Sweetman-Kirk testing United goalie Siobhan Chamberlain from a close range.

Chamberlain was called into action again to save Sweetman-Kirk's shot as the tie entered into the final ten minutes, with the both sides searching for the breakthrough.

The deadlock was finally broken by Scotland international Arnot who tuck home after a cross by Greenwood from the left-hand side.

Liverpool almost responded on the 87th minute as Christie Murray's well-taken freekick hit the base of the post and came out, leaving United to claim the vital win.

The victory marked a successful return to the women's game for 35 years old former England international Stoney, who retired in February.

Other Continental Tyres Cup results as follows;

Birmingham City Ladies 0-0 Manchester City Women (Man City win 5-4 on penalties)

Leceister City Women 2-2 Bristol City Women (Leceister win 4-2 on penalties)

Chelsea Women 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

Crystal Palace Ladies 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies (Palace win 5-4 on penalties)

London Bees Women 1-1 Yeovil Town Ladies (London Bees win 5-4 on penalties)

Reading Women 4-1 Durham Women

Arsenal Women 3-1 West Ham Ladies

Lewes Women 5-0 Charlton Athletic Women