Liverpool Women suffered FA Cup semi-final heartbreak 11 seconds from the end, as Brighton came from two down to triumph 3-2 at St Helens Stadium.
Liverpool Women 2-3 Brighton Women
FA Cup Semi-Final, St Helens Stadium
May 10, 2026
Goals: O’Sullivan 11. Olsson 22′; Vanegas 23′, Haley 54′, Noordam 90+5′
In front of just under 4,000 spectators enjoying the St Helens sunshine, there was a sense that this could be Liverpool’s day to really announce to the country that they had turned a corner.
Without three points until late January in his first season, Gareth Taylor’s side were struggling to play his new-possession based style and didn’t have the squad to do so.
However, new players brought a fresh burst of energy and experience to the squad in January and Liverpool now look like a team with a plan.
ST HELENS, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 10, 2026: Liverpool supporters' banner "Make Us Dream" during the Women’s FA Cup Semi-Final match between Liverpool FC Women and Brighton & Hove Albion FC Women at the St Helens Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This was evident in the first half against Brighton, as they dragged and pulled the visitors out of position with rotation and confidence on the ball.
Their 32-year-old midfielder, Denise O’Sullivan, who has been excellent since arriving midway through the campaign, got Liverpool’s first.
The Reds had been threatening down the left thanks to Ceri Holland’s dangerous right foot. Nine minutes in she whipped a beautiful ball in towards O’Sullivan, which the Republic of Ireland international steered just wide.
She made no mistake a minute later, though, when another Holland cross saw O’Sullivan come to the near side of the box and glance home the opener.
Liverpool were in total control and playing around Brighton with ease as 32-year-old Fran Kirby struggled in her one-woman press of the Reds’ backline.
ST HELENS, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 10, 2026: Liverpool's Denise O'Sullivan celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Women’s FA Cup Semi-Final match between Liverpool FC Women and Brighton & Hove Albion FC Women at the St Helens Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ten minutes later, Beata Olsson fired in Liverpool’s second, finishing with her striker’s instinct as she pounced on a loose ball 12 yards from goal.
The two-goal advantage lasted just a minute, however, due to left-back Manuela Vanegas prodding home from a corner.
Liverpool’s dominance began to fade after Brighton‘s goal as the hosts became their own worst enemy; goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, in particular, looked shaky and almost saw a goal kick ricochet in off opposition captain Maisie Symonds.
Half time: Liverpool Women 2-1 Brighton Women
Things didn’t improve after the break and Brighton got level 10 minutes into the second half, thanks to Madison Haley who somehow turned the ball home at the far post while evading pressure from Falk.
In an attempt to arrest the flow of Seagulls play towards goal, Taylor replaced right-back Risa Shimizu with Alice Bergstrom.
ST HELENS, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 10, 2026: Liverpool's Beata Olsson (R) celebrates with team-mate Ceri Holland after scoring the second goal during the Women’s FA Cup Semi-Final match between Liverpool FC Women and Brighton & Hove Albion FC Women at the St Helens Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Soon after, O’Sullivan went down injured after fouling Kiko Seike and was substituted for Aurelie Csillag – not bad timing given the midfielder was walking a tightrope having already been booked.
The changes did nothing to ease the pressure facing Liverpool’s defence, and Holland was subsequently also forced off through injury.
The introduction of fast, young forward Mia Enderby was greeted with enthusiasm as she took her place on the right wing.
With eight minutes of the 90 left to play, substitute Csillag had a golden chance to put Liverpool back in front.
Having dispossessed the Brighton defender, she made her way towards goal with time to pick her spot, but she went for power and was denied by ‘keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
ST HELENS, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 10, 2026: Brighton & Hove Albion's Madison Haley (L) celebrates after scoring her side's second goal, an equaliser to level the score at 2-2 during the Women’s FA Cup Semi-Final match between Liverpool FC Women and Brighton & Hove Albion FC Women at the St Helens Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool were offering a threat on the break, but as the match headed into added time, Brighton were on the front foot.
In a sickening blow for the Reds, a corner-kick delivery fell to substitute Nadie Noordam, who smashed in the loose ball to win the match 11 seconds from the end.
While blue and white stripes flooded onto the pitch, the Liverpool players fell to their haunches with hands on their heads.
One more match remains this season at Anfield and the future of the team looks significantly more positive than at Christmas.
However, there can be no denying the disappointment that the loss of a two-goal lead will carry. This was a golden opportunity for Liverpool to reach their first Women’s FA Cup final for 30 years.
Player of the match: Kirsty Maclean
Liverpool Women: Falk; Shimizu (Bergstrom 61′), Clark, Fisk, Bernabe; Nagano, O’Sullivan (Csillag 69′), Maclean; Kapocs, Holland (Enderby 77′), Olsson
Subs not used: Kirby, Evans, Woodham, Josendal, Shaw, Trueman
Next match: Arsenal (Anfield) – WSL – Saturday, May 16, 1pm (BST)