Everton would enter the 3rd Merseyside Derby of the season in good form, sitting in the dizzy heights of 6th in the WSL table.
3 wins from 4 league games for Scott Phelan had fans calling for the 38-year-old to be given the job permanently, having taken on the role on an interim basis.
Liverpool had also entered a good bane of form entering into the fixture, pulling themselves comfortably away from the relegation zone in recent weeks.
It would be the worst possible start for the home side, with Inma Gabarro giving away a penalty inside 10 minutes, which was coolly dispatched by Ceri Holland.
The Toffees would do their best to answer back, but failed to create much in the way of chances.
Liverpool would grab a second soon after, helped by some questionable Everton defending.
Alejandra Bernabe's cross would deflect off Martina Fernandez and beat Courtney Brosnan at her near post.
Going two down would give the blues a much needed wake up call, with their first few chances being created late in the second half.
However, the visitors would triple their advantage just before half-time, with Holland doubling her goal tally with a superb curling finish into the bottom corner.
Aurora Galli would find the back of the net on the hour mark, giving her side a glimmer of hope going into the final stages. Grace Fisk would see red soon after, leaving the visitors a player down with half an hour to play.
Despite sustained pressure late on, it would take until the 91st minute for Everton to find a second goal, which would come through Zara Kramzar.
Liverpool would eventually hold on for all 3 points, and edge ever closer to WSL safety.
Here are the EFC player ratings from their Derby Day defeat:
Everton Player Ratings
Courtney Brosnan - 4
Liverpool offered very little throughout the game other than their 3 goals, which left Ireland's number 1 with very little to do, especially in the second half.
Mayumi Pacheco - 6
Had a decent game, and kept Mia Enderby relatively quiet down the away side's right-hand side.
Martina Fernandez - 3
Had an extremely poor game and seemed shaky whenever tasked with dealing with any pressure. She was, however, unlucky to concede an own goal.
Ruby Mace - 6.5
Was probably Everton's most proactive defender, but was caught out higher up the pitch a few times.
The England international also wasted her side's final chance to equalise with a wild effort in the dying seconds.
Hannah Blundell - 3
The Manchester United loanee had a dreadful time trying to deal with Ceri Holland throughout the game, and offered very little going forward.
Not a game to remember.
Ornella Vignola - 5
The Spaniard was unable to repeat her Merseyside Derby heroics from earlier in the season, and would offer very little in the way of chances. Everton looked a better team when she was replaced by Toni Payne.
Rosa Van Gool - 6.5
One of the home side's better outfield players.
The 22-year-old was probing throughout the game, and created a few opportunities for her side to get level late on.
Aurora Galli - 8
Found the net in the second half from a lovely free-kick, and was probably her side's most threatening player during the game.
She was also credited with the assist for Kramzar's late strike.
Yuka Momiki - 7
There were questions raised as to why the Japanese winger was replaced at half time ahead of some of her under-performing teammates.
Momiki was very lively during her cameo, and many will question if Everton might have got something from the game if she had been kept on the pitch.
Zara Kramzar - 7
The former AS Roma striker's late goal was her first in royal blue, and it was probably deserved based on her performance overall. She put herself about up front and gave Liverpool's defenders something to think about throughout.
Inma Gabarro - 5
Gabarro offered very little, unlike some of her more recent performances. She was rightly replaced by Kelly Gago in the second half.
Substitutes
Melissa Lawley - 5
Kelly Gago - 6
Clare Wheeler - 5
Katja Snoeijs - 5
Toni Payne - 6
Everton still sit comfortably away from the relegation zone with 3 games to play of the WSL season, and will be looking ahead to an improved second season at Goodison Park next campaign.
Liverpool will continue their journey in the FA Cup on Sunday as they take on Charlton Athletic.
