Liverpool forward Mia Enderby was stretchered off shortly after scoring the opener in her side’s FA Cup fifth-round win over Merseyside rivals Everton at the BrewDog Stadium.
Enderby’s first-half replacement, Beata Olsson, then converted Liverpool’s second just before the break, with the Toffees halving the deficit midway the second half through a Jennifer Falk own goal.
Gareth Taylor’s side led from the 34th minute of the derby when Enderby headed in Ceri Holland’s cross for her fourth goal in six matches.
As the forward met Holland’s ball from the left, she collided with Everton keeper Courtney Brosnan who was unable to stop her run as she tried to make a save.
Replays showed Enderby in serious distress after the incident and she left the field on a stretcher, but was later pictured sat on the bench with crutches.
“I just spoke to her briefly then and she said that it felt like her kneecap popped out of place,” Liverpool boss Taylor told Channel 4.
“Nothing is great in the knee area but the first thing you think about it what everyone thought.
“Hopefully she sems to be OK.”
Holland was again the provider for Liverpool’s second in the 45th minute from a free-kick. Her delivery from the left flank was headed by visiting defender Ruby Mace on to the arm of Olsson before she converted, much to the frustration of Brosnan.
Liverpool could have been further out of sight after the break, with Brosnan twice keeping out headers from Denise O’Sullivan and Martha Thomas in quick succession.
Winger Holland, comfortably the best player on the pitch, came close to scoring herself when drilling a shot on goal from the edge of the penalty area that was batted away by Brosnan.
Liverpool goalkeeper Falk had little to do until midway through the second half when denying Inma Gabarro’s effort with a low stop.
Minutes later, she was on the wrong end of misfortune. A shot from the edge of the penalty area by Aurora Galli beat Falk and crashed on to the post. After doing so, the ball hit her back and hit the post again, before rebounding off her head on the second occasion and trickling into the net.
Toffees defender Hikaru Kitagawa tested Falk as Everton pushed for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes, but the Swedish stopper held her effort well.