Liverpool Ladies suffered a blow in their last game before the international break when they lost 1-0 to Notts County at Meadow Lane on Sunday.

The reigning Women's Super League champions knew going into the game that they needed to take something in order to go into the mid-season break in a challenging position.

However, the loss sees them now fall seven points behind leaders Chelsea.

The first half was an even contest with both sides having decent chances. Fara Williams almost broke the deadlock with a 30-yard free-kick that was well held by Carly Telford.

Matt Beard made a change during the interval when he brought on Nicole Rolser to boost the attack and the German went close when she was denied by Telford.

Martha Harris was next to test Telford with another good effort as the Reds stepped up their search for a breakthrough.

With chances going begging there was always the danger that the home side could pounce, and sure enough they took the lead when Fern Whelan rose high to head home beyond the reach of Libby Stout.

The season now takes a break ahead of the World Cup in Canada, and Liverpool will resume their season on July 12 when they face an away date at second-place Arsenal.

Liverpool Ladies: Stout, Harris, Schroder (Ryland), Williams, Bonner, Murray, Longhurst, Easton (Zelem), Dowie, Smorsgard (Rolser), Oshoala.

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