Liverpool were edged out 2-1 by Manchester City in Sunday's Barclays Women's Super League clash at Anfield.
Gareth Taylor's side went ahead early in the second half as Cornelia Kapocs scored at the stadium for the second time in 2025-26.
Iman Beney hit back for City soon after, though, and they claimed all three points when Aoba Fujino thrashed in a late winner.
The first half-chance of the game was worked by the visitors but Laura Blindkilde Brown could only direct her side-footed strike from the edge of the box wide.
Rafaela Borggrafe then tipped over a Vivianne Miedema effort at a similar distance, and the Liverpool goalkeeper had to react again soon after.
Jenna Clark's miskick inside the area presented Miedema with a chance to fire low across goal - with Borggrafe getting a strong foot in the way.
There was an easier take for the German when, after Gemma Bonner's perfect sliding tackle halted Khadija Shaw, the loose ball was sent straight at her by Kerstin Casparij.
The Reds were jumping into counter-attacks to decent effect, though they lost Marie Höbinger to an injury, the midfielder falling awkwardly while defending inside her own box.
With the game paused for a short spell as Höbinger received treatment, the action afterwards was scrappier in nature.
City, though, carved out the best opportunity so far in the 41st minute.
Miedema got on the turn and slid a superb pass into the forward run of Fujino for a one-on-one left of goal. Her sweeping, rising finish in search of the opposite top corner was gloved away by Borggrafe.
The Liverpool stopper also pushed out a dragged Shaw effort from an angle as half-time arrived with stalemate still reigning.
City began the second half on the front foot but, five minutes after the restart, the Reds put together their best passage yet.
Ceri Holland won possession with a high press and prodded a pass in behind for Mia Enderby, whose attempted centre was deflected onto the near post.
But those on the Kop were lifted off their feet for real moments later.
The deadlock was broken in classy fashion, Grace Fisk spreading play out to the right wing and Holland in turn clipping a peach of a cross into the City box.
Arriving right on time at the back post was Kapocs, who bravely put her head in to nod the ball home.
It would prove to be a short-lived advantage, however, as City levelled with 64 on the clock.
Alex Greenwood's delivery from the channel was glanced by Shaw towards goal. Borggrafe made the save but could not keep hold, allowing Beney to blast in the rebound.
City cranked up the pressure having got themselves on terms and Borggrafe was needed again 11 minutes from the end, palming a Shaw thump behind.
The away side produced a decisive goal on 86, though. A slick passing move infield from the right freed Fujino to rasp a shot in.
In the last act of the encounter, Bonner smashed in the loose ball when Holland's free-kick strike was fumbled - but the offside flag cut short the Kop-end celebrations.
Team
Liverpool: Borggrafe, Fisk, Bonner, Clark, Evans, Nagano, Kerr (Roman H., 90+3), Höbinger (Maclean, 26), Holland, Enderby, Kapocs.
Unused subs: Kirby, Shimizu, Szymczak, Olsson, Lundgaard, Silcock.
SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com
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