Liverpool registered their first home win in the Women’s Super League this season after beating Brighton 2-1 thanks to a late Jorelyn Carabali own goal.
Nikita Parris canceled out Olivia Smith’s first-half Liverpool record, but Brighton defender Carabali diverted the ball into her own net to settle the problem.
Matt Beard’s side, who have not won in the domestic league since moving from Prenton Park to St Helens Stadium, secured their third WSL win of the season.
Brighton, who are competing for a place in the top four this season, came close to opening the scoring in the 23rd minute when Liverpool goalkeeper Teagan Micah made a mess by controlling a return pass and his team-mate Grace Fisk cleared the danger.
Liverpool’s first effort on goal saw Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley make an easy save from Cornelia Kapocs’ low shot before they took the lead in the 32nd minute.
Canadian Smith outran Brighton’s defense on the right and pounced on Gur Bergsvand’s challenge before curling a clinical angled finish into the top corner.
Brighton continued to struggle for clear chances in the second half, but they equalized in the 66th minute.
Kiko Seike beat Liverpool defender Gemma Evans on the right and crossed for Parris, whose shot took a powerful deflection and flew over Micah into the net.
Liverpool regrouped and increased the pressure, taking several corners before Marie Hobinger’s shot from outside the box was comfortably collected by Baggaley.
The home side were rewarded for their pressure with eight minutes remaining when Fisk caused a disturbance in the Brighton penalty area and forced Carabali to make a mistake on a clearance attempt, slotting the ball past Baggaley.
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