Bristol City is on the verge of being relegated from the Women’s Super League following a close loss to Liverpool at Ashton Gate.

Liverpool secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Bristol City in the Women’s Super League, propelling them to fourth place in the table. The result dealt a severe blow to Bristol City’s hopes of avoiding relegation, as they remain rooted to the bottom of the standings.

Marie Hobinger was the hero for Liverpool, as her first-half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides. After sustained pressure from Matt Beard’s team, Hobinger unleashed a clinical strike past Bristol City goalkeeper Shae Yanez.

At halftime, the outlook appeared bleak for Lauren Smith’s side, who had previously lost all 10 of their WSL matches after trailing at the break.

Hobinger came close to extending Liverpool’s lead early in the second half, but Yanez made a crucial save to keep Bristol City in the game. The Robins struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Amalie Thestrup’s effort being saved by Liverpool’s Tagan Micah. Yanez was also called into action multiple times, denying Mia Enderby and eventually gathering a Missy Bo Kearns free-kick.

Despite their best efforts, Bristol City failed to find an equalizer and now face an uphill battle to retain their top-flight status. With only three games remaining, they sit seven points adrift of 11th-placed West Ham United. Their relegation could be confirmed as early as Sunday if West Ham manage to upset title-chasing Manchester City.

In contrast, Liverpool’s victory sees them leapfrog Manchester United in the table, although they have played one more game than their rivals. The win provides a significant boost to their hopes of securing a European spot for next season.

Overall, it was a hard-fought match with Liverpool emerging as the deserved winners. Bristol City’s lack of quality ultimately proved costly, leaving them on the brink of an immediate return to the Women’s Championship.