Liverpool won the Women's Super League for the first time since early November with a 2-1 win over Brighton at St Helen's Stadium.
Nikita Parris had canceled out Olivia Smith's first-half strike, but Jorelyn Carabali's own goal earned Liverpool the three points, extending the Seagulls' winless run to three games.
Liverpool grew into the match after a slow start and took the lead just after the half hour. After a fast break, Smith brilliantly stopped Guro Bergsvand from the halfway line before firing the opener into the roof of the net.
Minutes later she almost doubled the lead, but could only drag her effort wide, while Teagan Micah had to be alert on the stroke of half-time to deflect Kiko Seike's header away from Parris on the line at the other end.
Mia Enderby came close to doubling Liverpool's lead early in the second half after another quick counter-attack. She opted to go it alone despite support, and her shot trickled wide of the far post.
Moments later, Liverpool were awarded a penalty. A loose touch gave Parris the ball and her strike took a big deflection off Jenna Clark and ended up in the other side of the net.
Eight minutes from time, however, the home side got their own stroke of luck. Grace Fisk recycled a cross, drilled it back into the box and the hapless Carabali couldn't sort her feet in time, eventually bundling it into her own net.
It's a win that moves Liverpool up to sixth in the WSL table, while Brighton missed the chance to approach the top four and remain four points behind Manchester United in fifth.
UP THE RED pic.twitter.com/iH7bqLm1T2
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) January 17, 2025
Data debrief: Reds back on target
Matt Beard had to watch from the stands while serving a touchline ban, but the relief was clear on his face as Liverpool returned to victory.
Not only had his side not earned three points since November 3, but that was also the last time they scored: a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Smith's goal ended a run of 438 minutes without a goal for Liverpool, and helped them extend their winning run against Brighton to four games in the WSL.
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