The opener came in blistering style from Smith, who embarked on a speedy dribble in from the right touchline to the area before sending in a low finish that Phallon Tullis-Joyce was unable to keep out.
Tullis-Joyce then pushed over a blast from Cornelia Kapocs from outside the box, but could do nothing to deny Liverpool’s second two minutes into added time.
From a United corner, the hosts launched a rapid counter attack, with Sam Kerr racing into space on the right and guiding a square pass to Nagano. The Japan international met the set-up with a first-time, sweeping hit inside the left post.
The pattern of play was re-established when the sides returned for the second half, with the away team pressing for a way back into the game.
It almost came when a clipped cross from right to left was seized upon by Leah Galton. She tried to nudge the ball in from close range, only to be thwarted by a combination of Taylor Hinds and Laws.
Kapocs could have enhanced the advantage when she was sent bounding into the United penalty area, but her final touch was skewed wide of the target.
That proved no matter when Whiteley’s charges won a penalty on 66 minutes, Alejandra Bernabe brought down inside the box by Jayde Riviere’s tackle.
Smith stepped up to take the kick in front of the Kop and dispatched an unerring finish into the left of the net as Tullis-Joyce moved in the other direction.
United kept searching for a response, with Melvine Malard pulling one decent attempt wide of the far post from the left corner of the area.
They did get on the scoresheet a minute from the end – Le Tissier dribbled smartly into space and threaded a low strike past Laws – but it was too late to stop Liverpool from clinching that precious maiden Anfield win in the WSL.
**Team**
Liverpool: Laws, Hinds, Clark, Matthews (Evans, 76), Bernabe, Kerr, Nagano, Höbinger, Smith (Enderby, 82), Roman H., Kapocs (Daniels, 90+3).
Unused subs: Micah, Parry, Fahey, Shaw, Bartel.
**Next up**
The Reds are on the road next Saturday (March 22), heading to Arsenal for a 5.30pm GMT kick-off at Emirates Stadium. Ticket details are available [**here**](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/tickets/tickets-availability/arsenal-women-v-liverpool-fc-women-22-mar-2025-0530pm-434).
They will return for a third game at Anfield of the season when they host Everton in May, with tickets on sale [**here**](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/tickets/tickets-availability/liverpool-fc-women-v-everton-women-4-may-2025-0200pm-431).