Liverpool Ladies didn't get their title defence off to the best start on Wednesday night.

The back-to-back Women’s Super League Champions fell 2-1 to newly-promoted Sunderland at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.

The Reds looked threatening, but the Lady Black Cats were first on the score sheet after 26 minutes. No.9 Bethany Mead headed the ball in from a well executed cross giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala, the first African to play in the WSL got her first start, impressing early on as she had the Reds’ best chance on goal.

The Reds came out stronger in the second half, dominating the play, creating chances and one shot hitting the crossbar. The bad luck for the home side continued when Satara Murray brought down Mead in the box. Former Everton player Chaplen stepped up and slotted one in from the spot to make it 2-0.

Murray got one back for the Reds, managing to send the ball into the back of the net from a scrappy ball into the box. It wasn’t enough to defeat Sunderland as they held on for a famous win against the reigning champions..

Liverpool Ladies manager Matt Beard said the team "can’t afford to lose many more" and will look to get some points on the table from their next game against Birmingham City next Wednesday.

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