Lauren Hemp said everyone at Manchester City was determined to make a statement against Liverpool, after their stoppage-time winner put them on the brink of the Women's Super League title.

It looked as though City might surrender control of the WSL title race to Arsenal when Liverpool kept them at bay throughout regulation time at Joie Stadium on Sunday.

Visiting goalkeeper Jennifer Falk made several excellent saves, including a one-v-one stop to thwart Kerolin and a wonderful reflex save to push Khadija Shaw's header over.

But one minute into second-half stoppage time, Falk failed to keep out a diving header from Germany defender Rebecca Knaak, which squirmed into the bottom-left corner. 

The result represented a positive response to losing 3-2 at Brighton last weekend, with City dropping points twice in the space of four games (D1 L1) after only doing so once in their previous 15 (W14 L1).

City now know a victory over West Ham on May 16 would secure their first title in a decade, having finished as runners-up an agonising six times since last lifting the trophy.

Before then, they have the small matter of an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea next Sunday, with Liverpool taking on Brighton on the other side of the draw. 

"Liverpool were very good, they caused us a lot of problems, especially at the start. It's so hard to compose yourself when a goal like that goes in," Hemp told Sky Sports.

"We were pushing in the second half, we took the level up massively, we were creating so many chances, and in the end, we deserved it.

"We've worked so hard this season, and moments like that make it worth it. 

"We've still got more to go, we've still got a game next week to get us into a final, and the pressure gets piled up, but this team is incredible, and I'm so pleased to be part of it."

Lots of love 

 @okx pic.twitter.com/qqCn0xSxKJ

— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) May 3, 2026

Hemp's three chances created were the most of any player on the pitch, level with Liverpool's Ceri Holland, while she also attempted (five) and completed (four) more dribbles than any other player.

"It gives us confidence going into the next game," she continued. "We wanted to make a statement in the league today, because we were so frustrated with last week's performance.

"We've been working hard all week, and it's what this group deserves. Now we can sit back and watch a few games unfold."