Liverpool defeated Chelsea in the WSL’s debut.

Two second-half penalty goals from Liverpool striker Katie Stengel sent the record crowd at Prenton Park into a frenzy.

Fran Kirby put Chelsea up from the penalty spot only three minutes after the game started, but the home team came storming back to win.

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The Blues are aiming for a fourth straight WSL championship, while the Reds are back in the league after two years away.

There were 3,006 people in attendance, which is a record for a Liverpool women’s game at Prenton Park.

When Liverpool rookie Gilly Flaherty clipped Guro Reiten in the area, giving away a penalty in less than 60 seconds, it seemed like luck had finally turned in Chelsea’s favour.

With Kirby’s composure, Chelsea took control of the ball and started making more of the attacks, despite Liverpool’s persistent threat.

In the first half, Leanne Kiernan struck the post but was called offside, and newcomer Emma Koivisto pushed the rebound over the bar.

Sam Kerr won a tonne of headers in the final third for Chelsea, and the Blues’ fluid midfield created a lot of issues.

Kerr’s half-volley from the outside of the box was disallowed for offside, and then Scotland’s Erin Cuthbert sent a shot just wide.

After the half, Emma Hayes’s squad continued where they left off, but Millie Bright was severely penalised for a handball in the area, and Kadeisha Buchanan, Chelsea’s new addition, gave away a foul that led to a penalty for Liverpool for the second time in 20 minutes.

Liverpool’s return to the WSL under manager Matt Beard, who previously led them to back-to-back championships, couldn’t have gone better.