Match reportLiverpool denied by late leveller in WSL draw with Brighton

The Reds led for the vast majority of Sunday's fixture, courtesy of a close-range effort converted by Beata Olsson.

But they were forced to settle for a single point to get their total running this term, as Rosa Kafaji equalised three minutes into stoppage time.

Liverpool made a lively start at St Helens Stadium, pressing high and fast in an attempt to ruffle the Seagulls.

It was the visitors who landed a first shot on target, though it was a comfortable pluck from the air for Faye Kirby to save from Carla Camacho after neat build-up passing by Brighton.

That led to a flurry from the away side, beginning with Kirby tipping wide a dangerous long-ranger from Jelena Cankovic that was going close to the top corner.

The Reds 'keeper then made an easier stop from her namesake, Brighton's Fran Kirby, before Camacho was foiled by the post when heading at goal from Kiko Seike's delivery across the area.

Liverpool promptly took the lead.

A fine move it was, too, with Sam Kerr threading a pass into the run of Lily Woodham along the left flank. She guided a low, first-time cross into the near post, where Olsson prodded in.

Kerr herself hooked not too far wide soon after, though the hosts then needed a crucial double save from Kirby - both at close range - after Fuka Nagano was dispossessed inside her own area.

Gareth Taylor's team were twice inches away from doubling their lead before the interval.

A Nagano blast from distance was tipped against the crossbar by Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Kerr was denied by the same piece of goalframe when she swirled in a great strike from similar range.

Straight from the restart, Jenna Clark defended diligently to snuff out Camacho after she had been teed up in a shooting position by Seike's diagonal.

At the other end, meanwhile, Olsson sought a second of the afternoon having found a pocket of space to the right. Her attempt was deflected behind by Moeka Minami, however.

Brighton's pressure increased as the half wore on and Kirby added another vital save to her catalogue to keep them out on 68 minutes.

A tricky cross to the near post from the right was taken in by Madison Haley and she struck on the turn - but it was blocked reactively.

Next, Risa Shimizu produced a goal-saving clearance off the line, thwarting the Seagulls' Kirby, whose shot from the centre was destined for the net.

Liverpool seemed to have weathered the ascendant spell of the away side and might have completely put the game to bed late on.

A slick passage saw substitutes Kirsty Maclean and Leanne Kiernan combine to free the latter, though her final shot was sliced wide.

Three minutes into five added at the end, though, Brighton snatched a draw. Nadine Noordam crossed for Kafaji to direct a low equaliser home.

Team

Kirby, Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Woodham, Nagano, Kerr, Holland (Maclean, 79), Kapocs, Olsson (Kiernan, 78), Enderby.

Unused subs: Laws, Borggrafe, Evans, Szymczak, Lundgaard, Silcock.

Next up

Liverpool are back at St Helens Stadium in the WSL next Sunday (November 16), hosting Chelsea.

Kick-off is again 12pm GMT. Ticket and free coach travel details can be found here.