WSL round-up: Kiernan concern as Liverpool shock Chelsea

Newly-promoted Liverpool shocked defending champions Chelsea with a 2-1 win in front of a record 3,006 fans at Prenton Park.

Republic of Ireland internationals Niamh Fahey and Leanne Kiernan both started for the Reds, though the latter was forced off with an injury, which could spell trouble for Vera Pauw ahead of Ireland's historic 2023 World Cup play-off next month.

Fran Kirby got the visitors out to an early lead after Gilly Flaherty brought down Guro Reiten and the Lioness converted the penalty on three minutes.

A controversial call denied Sam Kerr her first of the new Women's Super League season when officials raised the offside flag following the Australian's first-half volley past Rachael Laws.

Former Blues boss Matt Beard's rousing pep talk at half-time saw the Reds return a resilient side, ready to pounce at any opportunity gifted to them by a Chelsea side that enjoyed nearly 70% possession.

Their break came when Flaherty's flick-on from a throw-in caught Millie Bright's arm and a penalty was awarded for handball and Stengel coolly converted for her first WSL goal.

Then, with just five minutes remaining in normal time, she won another penalty after being knocked down inside the area by Chelsea debutant Kadeisha Buchanan and sent Zecira Musovic the wrong way to seal her side's triumphant return to the top flight.

Rachel Daly marked her return to English football with an emphatic brace in Aston Villa's 4-3 win over Manchester City at Villa Park.

The Lioness joined Carla Ward's side from the Houston Dash in August on a three-year deal and made her presence known early, dispossessing Laia Aleixandri to free the ball up for Alisha Lehmann to burst down the right and finish.

The versatile Daly, who played in defense during