Jana Fernandez’s stoppage-time own goal rescued a deserved 2-2 draw for Liverpool against London City Lionesses in St Helens.
The visitors appeared set for a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League victory after taking advantage of two Liverpool mistakes to overturn Beata Olsson’s early penalty.
However, Liverpool controlled the second half and finally found an equaliser in the 92nd minute, when Fernandez diverted Cornelia Kapocs’ cross past goalkeeper Elene Lete.
The result leaves third-placed London City three points behind leaders Chelsea following their 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
That gap could grow to five points if Manchester City beat Manchester United in Sunday’s 18:00 GMT kick-off.
Liverpool remain 10th and are now without a win in three matches.
London City threatened early, with Khiara Keating reaching a bouncing ball ahead of Freya Godfrey before Danielle van de Donk was closed down after taking too long to shoot.
Liverpool nevertheless struck first in the 19th minute. Mapi Leon fouled Jenna Clark inside the penalty area, allowing Olsson to convert from the spot.
Their advantage lasted only three minutes.
Keating was caught in possession while attempting to play out from the back, and Godfrey stole the ball before finishing into an unguarded net.
Another defensive error handed the Lionesses the lead just before half-time.
Moments after firing an effort high and wide, Alejandra Bernabe failed to connect with a header intended for her goalkeeper under pressure from Van de Donk.
The midfielder seized the opportunity and squared for Kadidiatou Diani to finish.
Liverpool responded strongly after the interval but initially struggled to turn their pressure into a goal.
Lete kept out Natalia Ramos’ curling shot, while a deep Kapocs cross struck the crossbar.
The hosts’ persistence eventually paid off when another Kapocs delivery forced Fernandez into the own goal that secured a share of the points.
London City remain well placed, with 16 points from seven matches and a six-point advantage over fourth-placed Tottenham in the pursuit of European qualification.
Nevertheless, surrendering two points so late will frustrate Eder Maestre, particularly given his side’s difficulties against lower-ranked opponents last season.
During their debut WSL campaign, which ended in a sixth-place finish, the Lionesses dropped 13 points against teams below them.
They have already dropped five this term against Liverpool and West Ham, having lost 2-1 to the latter in September.
Liverpool fully merited their point.
Before the break, they combined disciplined defending with dangerous counter-attacks and quick exchanges involving Fuka Nagano, Ramos and Kapocs.
Their control became more pronounced in the second half, when they held 69% possession and registered eight attempts to London City’s two.
Neither of the visitors’ efforts was on target.
Alexia Putellas and full-backs Fernandez and Lucia Corrales offered little attacking influence, while Liverpool restricted Van de Donk by assigning two players to contain her.
Although London City punished their opponents’ mistakes efficiently, they struggled to impose themselves for sustained periods.
Holding on would have demonstrated their ability to win under pressure.
Instead, they approach next Sunday’s home meeting with Manchester City knowing another setback could seriously damage their title challenge.
