Cornelia Kapocs had provided the ideal start under new head coach Gareth Taylor amid a positive opening to the Merseyside derby for the Reds, firing in emphatically with 12 minutes played.
But Ornella Vignola levelled for the Blues and Katja Snoeijs’ added-time header consigned Taylor’s side – who had hit the crossbar and post amid a number of chances – to a half-time deficit.
And Everton ensured there was no way back for Liverpool with a double salvo early in the second half, Vignola getting both goals to claim a hat-trick.
At a rainswept Anfield, Liverpool were on the front foot straight from kick-off, springing Ceri Holland into space down the right flank multiple times with some slick passing exchanges, though without it leading to a chance.
The Kop end the home side were attacking towards did not have to wait much longer to be lifted off their seats, however.
The breakthrough actually came from the opposite wing, with Marie Höbinger’s dinked pass into the channel inviting Kapocs to bound into the space ahead of her.
Kapocs took optimum advantage, driving infield to create a shooting opportunity inside the area and fairly thumping a clinical finish off the underside of the crossbar for 1-0.
That same piece of woodwork was shaking again four minutes later, but this time that ball clattered it and stayed out, Gemma Bonner so unlucky with a volley on the stretch from Höbinger’s deep free-kick delivery.
Everton’s threat as an attacking force had been minimal to this point, yet they got themselves level in the 24th minute with a fine goal.
A measured pass out from the back to begin a counter sent Vignola free on the right-hand side and she moved inside before arcing a finish across goal, over the reach of Faye Kirby and into the far corner.
As the Reds resettled, Holland continued to be their favoured route and another centre by the Wales international caused a scramble yards out as the visitors kept Mia Enderby and Höbinger at bay.
Next, on 37, Holland combined with captain Grace Fisk and deftly dribbled into the box. She curled an effort in search of the opposite side of goal but saw it bump off the post.
The Blues were growing into the contest but the best chances remained Liverpool’s, with their last of the first half squandered. A misplaced backpass fell to Höbinger, whose shot on the turn was scuffed off target.
Nevertheless, Everton netted again in the last of four added minutes. Maz Pacheco swung in a cross from the left flank that Snoeijs redirected at goal with a header that Kirby got a touch on but could not stop.
