Reigning Women’s Super League 1 champions Liverpool Ladies were knocked out of the FA Women’s Cup by 2012 winners Birmingham City Ladies.
Reds manager Matt Beard gave debuts to his new signings Line Smorsgard, Satara Murray and Africa’s player of the year, Asisat Oshoala.
Jade Moore put the Blues ahead in the 17th minute, with a low finish past the outstretched Libby Stout, after being played through by Kirsty Linnett.
Ever reliable Natasha Dowie got Liverpool back on level terms less than 10 minutes later, rising high to head past Rebecca Spencer following a cross from Corina Schroder.
Five minutes before the break, after continued pressure from the hosts, Jo Potter produced a piece of magic with a superb free-kick, which sailed into the top right-hand corner of the net to put Birmingham 2-1 ahead.
Liverpool looked brighter in the second-half and as Birmingham sat back, the visitors piled on the pressure for an equaliser.
Hannah Dale and Nicole Rolser both went close for the Reds as they chased a second score, but it was Birmingham who got the crucial goal with just five minutes to go to kill the game.
Liverpool defender Satara Murray bundled over Freda Ayisi in the box and Remi Allen slotted home from the penalty spot.
Birmingham Ladies now face Manchester City in the quarter final.
