Liverpool moved above Brighton in the Women’s Super League standings with a 2-1 victory at the Amex Stadium.

First-half goals from Olivia Smith and Leanne Kiernan took Liverpool into fifth place, two points above the Seagulls.

Brighton were given hope soon after the restart when Michelle Agyemang, fresh from her first England goal against Belgium, turned home Kiko Seike’s cross.

Liverpool were seeking to bounce back from the heartache of losing their FA Cup semi-final to Chelsea in stoppage time.

Ceri Holland, injured on Wales duty recently, was one of three changes to the side that started against Chelsea and the winger needed just 70 seconds to make a telling impact.

Holland found Smith with a delightful pass and the Canada forward, just as she had done against Brighton in the reverse fixture in January, opened the scoring with a low shot past Melina Loeck from eight yards.

Smith recovered from a knock that needed treatment to test Loeck with a deflected effort the Seagulls goalkeeper gratefully gathered.

But Liverpool struck again two minutes before the interval after Brighton made a hash of playing out from the back.

Holland again played a decisive role by intercepting a stray pass and squared the ball for Kiernan to drive home.

Brighton had caused few Liverpool alarm bells to ring in the first period, with Nadine Noordam snatching at a loose ball and wasting their best opportunity.

But Agyemang would soon show the finishing skills that saw her score 41 seconds into her England career after being introduced as a substitute against Belgium in the Nations League last month.

The on-loan Arsenal forward bundled the ball home from five yards at the far post after Seike broke down the right flank to good effect.

Brighton were better in the second half, a more cohesive attacking unit as Liverpool were forced to defend their box.

Agyemang was a constant nuisance and Fran Kirby volleyed wide from Seike’s excellent delivery.

But Holland almost capped an impressive display by forcing an excellent save from Loeck and Liverpool held on to take a significant stride towards a top-five finish.