Manchester City left it late to maintain their perfect start to their Women's Super League title defence as they battled past Liverpool to earn a 4-2 victory at Joie Stadium.

Andree Jeglertz's side appeared set to drop their first points of the season having found themselves level late on, but two goals made it three wins from three matches. 

Liverpool captain Grace Fisk turned into her own net in the 90th minute before Lauren Hemp, who scored City's opener, sealed the victory in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Khiara Keating was called into action early on by Hemp, tipping her powerful strike over the bar, but the City forward was able to open the scoring in the 13th minute with a precise finish into the bottom-right corner after collecting Carlotta Wamser's pass. 

But the visitors stunned City with two goals in nine minutes. Alice Bergstrom stroked the ball home from inside the area before Vivien Endemann turned the game on its head after her near-post strike was too strong for Ayaka Yamashita to keep out. 

However, the Citizens drew level in first-half stoppage time through Khadija Shaw. Hemp's fizzing drive was spilled by Keating, allowing the City striker to finish on the line.

Endemann thought she had scored minutes into the second half, but she could only rifle past the post, with both teams struggling to carve out many clear-cut opportunities. 

And with the contest seemingly heading for a draw, Grace Clinton's cross was turned into her own net by Fisk, before Hemp scored her second of the match to seal the win on the counter-attack as Liverpool searched for an equaliser. 

Hemp's heroics save Citizens

The Citizens were made to work for their victory against Liverpool, but Hemp was key in her team's victory. She was a constant threat throughout, finishing with a team-high total number of shots on target (five) worth an expected goals (xG) total of 0.72. 

It also saw Hemp net her first two WSL goals of the season, and her first in the competition since facing rivals Manchester United back in November 2025. There was also a landmark moment for Shaw. 

Shaw netted her 52nd goal at home in the WSL, more than any other player in the history of the competition. She surpassed Bethany England's previous record, while also ending the match on Friday by having more shots (nine) and winning more aerial duels (four) than her team-mates. 

The result also continued City's strong record at home. They have now won each of their last 14 WSL home games, equalling the second-longest winning streak on home turf in the competition, set by Chelsea between September 2019 and January 2021 (14).

Gareth Taylor will, however, be pleased with his side's performance, after they registered 11 shots with four on target, mustering an xG of 1.20. But City's quality shone through, and they recorded 14 shots with six on target, which generated an xG total of 3.83.