Khadija Shaw struck twice as Manchester City came from behind to maintain their unbeaten start in the Women’s Super League with a last-gasp 2-1 win at Liverpool.

The Jamaican rose to head home the equaliser from a Lauren Hemp cross just before the hour after Olivia Smith had put the hosts ahead in Sunday’s contest at Anfield.

The formidable Shaw then hit the post as City pressed for a winner in the latter stages and finally broke through with a ferocious strike in stoppage time.

Smith had rewarded Liverpool for a bright start just before the interval but the Merseysiders could not hold on for what would have been a first victory at the venue in four attempts.

Liverpool manager Matt Beard, who was watching from home due to illness, would doubtless have been disappointed with his side’s second-half display after a strong opening.

The Reds first threatened when Smith held off the challenge of Leila Ouahabi on a run into the box but could not get a clean shot away and Ayaka Yamashita saved comfortably.

Gemma Bonner also headed over and Sophie Roman Haug struck a tame shot at Yamashita.

City played some nice football up to the final third but struggled to create anything meaningful until close to the half-hour mark when England forward Hemp dabbed wide after exchanging passes with Shaw.

Liverpool took the lead four minutes before the interval as Smith seized on a loose ball and steadied herself before drilling a low shot past Yamashita from distance.

It was a fine effort but Smith was unable to celebrate as she lost her balance in the process of shooting and required treatment after landing awkwardly.

She was able to continue after a short stoppage and the game opened up in the second period.

Haug headed wide from a corner for Liverpool and Taylor Hinds fired into the side-netting.

City went close when Jill Roord curled a shot wide and their equaliser came in the 58th minute when Shaw rose above the defence to plant a header past Rachael Laws from a Hemp cross.

Hemp began to stamp her authority on proceedings with an attempted lob that dropped just over and another curling effort narrowly missing the target.

Mary Fowler also tried her luck from just inside the box but fired the wrong side of the post.

City maintained the pressure and Shaw was unfortunate to clip the post from a tight angle after being forced wide by Laws.

Alex Greenwood also volleyed wide but Shaw had the final say when she rattled a shot into the roof of the net in the second minute of time added on.