Liverpool are yet to win in the WSL this season, with six defeats and a draw from their opening seven games
At a glance
Olsson strikes to give Liverpool first-half lead
Kafaji equalises in stoppage time to earn draw for Brighton
Liverpool secure first point of season but denied first win under Taylor
Brighton forward Rosa Kafaji's stoppage-time goal denied Women's Super League strugglers Liverpool their first win of the season.
A spell of late pressure from the away side eventually told as Kafaji swept home Nadine Noordam's cutback to claim a share of the spoils at St Helens Stadium and end Brighton's three-game losing run in the league.
Liverpool had gone in front on 26 minutes, when Beata Olsson netted her second goal in as many games. The Swede slid in at the front post to divert Lily Woodham's low cross past Brighton keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was unable to stop it trickling over the line.
It had already been an ebb-and-flow contest, with Liverpool winger Mia Enderby shooting wide at the back post inside two minutes, before Carla Camacho's header bounced off the crossbar at the other end.
There continued to be chances at both ends, with Liverpool midfielder Sam Kerr firing wide from distance before keeper Faye Kirby had to produce a smart stop to keep out namesake Fran after some sloppy passing from the hosts in their own area.
As the interval approached, the hosts rallied once more, but Fuka Nagano's long-range drive was turned onto the crossbar by Nnadozie before Kerr curled a shot against the bar moments later.
Brighton came out with renewed purpose in the second half, with substitute Madison Haley thwarted by Kirby at a corner, before Risa Shimizu cleared an effort off the line from Brighton's Kirby.
With time ticking away, second-half substitute Kafaji remained composed in the box to fire the visitors level and deny Liverpool a first success under Gareth Taylor.
The draw did at least mean they have a point on the board, with Taylor avoiding equalling the third-worst start to a managerial tenure in WSL history.
Brighton, meanwhile, moved within two points of seventh-placed Aston Villa.
Analysis: Late heartbreak for Liverpool as Brighton stop the rot
As the final whistle blew, players from both sides fell to their knees. For those of a Brighton persuasion it was sheer relief, while for those wearing red it was despair.
"It's a cruel game," said Taylor to Sky Sports. "It would've been nice to reinforce the good work with three points. For us it's a first point on the board. It's a step forward."
For 93 minutes, his side were superb. They looked dangerous in attack - scoring the only big chance of the first half - and rode their luck at times, with goalkeeper Kirby produced five sharp stops to keep Brighton at bay.
On the odd occasion Kirby was bypassed, her defence were there to bail her out. Shimizu's goalline clearance was one of 16 clearances made by the hosts' backline.
However, their habit of dropping points from winning positions came back to haunt them - they have now squandered 11 from seven games played this season.
Taylor added: "I think when the dust settles we'll look back and go '[our] players played to their maximum, gave everything they've got'. It can be tough to take when it's late on."
No matter how much positivity they take from the point gained, Liverpool's form is that of a side that will be looking down the table with fear rather than up with optimism.
From a Brighton perspective, it's a point they will feel they deserved for their perseverance and statistical dominance.
The Seagulls registered a higher xG than their hosts (1.49 to 0.69) and more shots on target (seven to four), while also shading possession. However, boss Dario Vidosic will be concerned at their lack of vigour for large parts of the game.
One positive for the Seagulls was the return of Haley, who played for half an hour after a long injury lay-off. They will need her more in the coming weeks as they adjust to life without the injured Michelle Agyemang.
The most crucial thing of all, though, is the point stops the rot in terms of their away form. Kafaji's late goal ensured they avoided a 12th defeat in 15 WSL away games since Vidosic took charge in July 2024.
What's next for these sides?
Up next for Liverpool is the visit of Women's Super League champions Chelsea on Sunday, 16 November (12:00 GMT).
Brighton have two games in the next seven days - starting against Charlton Athletic in the League Cup group stage on Wednesday, 12 November (19:00 GMT) before they welcome Leicester City to Broadfield in the WSL on Sunday, 16 November (12:00 GMT)
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