Liverpool Ladies beat Man City Women 2-1 in Super League One

Asisat Oshoala became the first African player to feature in the Women's Super League when she made her debut earlier this season

Liverpool overcame Manchester City to claim only their second Women's Super League One victory of the season.

The hosts took an early lead when City keeper Alex Brooks palmed away a Fara Williams corner, only for Asisat Oshoala to score on the follow-up.

Nikita Parris levelled after the break with a header from Isobel Christiansen's free-kick.

Line Smorsgard met a clever flicked cross from Oshoala to head in the winner on 57 minutes.

Williams and Smorsgard threatened to add to Liverpool's lead while Parris shot just wide of the left-hand post as City attempted to score an equaliser.

Defending league champions Liverpool held on to secure victory and move up to third in WSL 1 table.

England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton featured for the first time this season, coming on as a substitute after 60 minutes after recovering from a knee injury.

However, City's England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley remained on the bench, despite being available after returning from a three-match suspension following a charge of violent conduct.

Liverpool manager Matt Beard told BBC Sport:

"It was a big win for us - we wanted to get a win at home before going into the World Cup break.

"Our second-half performance was fantastic and our final-third play was a lot better. We've worked on it all week.

"I'm delighted Line [Smorsgard] got off the mark and Asisat's got another assist and another goal for us tonight."

Manchester City Women manager Nick Cushing told BBC Sport:

"We controlled the ball, built very well and we put lots of passes together but we didn't really create opportunities.

"It's an area that we need to look at really quickly and we need to get on the training pitch and practice.

"It is simple, if you don't score you don't win."

On Steph Houghton's return from injury: "She's our captain and she's an exceptional leader. We knew she had 30 minutes in her today, so we got her on the pitch and we're pleased."

Manchester City's Nikita Parris celebrates scoring the equaliser against Liverpool

Liverpool celebrate Line Smorsgard's winner against Manchester City Women

Liverpool Ladies: Stout, Harris, Murray, Bonner, Schroder (Ryland 60); Easton; Oshoala, Williams, Longhurst (Omarsdottir), Smorsgard (Rolser 78); Dowie.

Substitutes not used: Danielle Gibbons, Katie Zelem.

Manchester City Women: Brooks; Bronze, McManus (Houghton 60), Radtke, Stokes; Beattie; Harding, Christiansen, Johnston (Flint 70); Duggan, Parris.

Substitutes not used: Bardsley, Nightingale, Lipman, Brougham, Wiltshire.

Attendance: 1,022

Referee: J Hunt