Liverpool registered their first home Women’s Super League win of the season after beating Brighton 2-1 thanks to a Jorelyn Carabali late own goal.
Nikita Parris cancelled out Liverpool record signing Olivia Smith’s first-half opener, but Brighton defender Carabali turned the ball into her own net to settle proceedings.
Matt Beard’s side, who had not won a home league game since moving from Prenton Park to St Helens Stadium, secured their third WSL victory of the season.
Brighton, bidding for a top-four finish this season, went close to opening the scoring in the 23rd minute when Liverpool goalkeeper Teagan Micah made a mess of controlling a backpass and team-mate Grace Fisk snuffed out the danger.
Liverpool’s first effort on goal saw Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley easily hold on to Cornelia Kapocs weak shot before they took the lead in the 32nd minute.
Canadian Smith outpaced Brighton’s defence down the right and brushed off Guro Bergsvand’s challenge before firing a clinical, angled finish into the top corner.
Carabali bundled the ball into her own net with less then 10 minutes to go
Brighton continued to struggle to carve out clear chances in the second half, but they equalised in the 66th minute.
Kiko Seike beat Liverpool defender Gemma Evans on the right and crossed for Parris, whose shot took a big deflection and looped over Micah and into the net.
Liverpool regrouped and piled on the pressure, forcing several corners before Marie Hobinger’s shot from outside the box was comfortably gathered by Baggaley.
The home side were rewarded for their pressure with eight minutes remaining when Fisk made a nuisance of herself in the Brighton box and forced Carabali to miscue her attempted clearance, bundling the ball past Baggaley.
