After a tight opening half-hour at Whitley Park, Rosie Kinvig's close-range header gave Liverpool the lead before two late finishes, courtesy of Nicola James and Amy Seagraves, sealed the away side's victory.

The first opportunity of the Division One clash fell to the visitors, with Newcastle goalkeeper Grace Donnelly producing a terrific save in the early stages, blocking Laura Bartup's first-time effort inside the six yard area before the forward had a goal disallowed shortly after for offside.

However, Newcastle were dealt a devastating blow as Kinvig broke the deadlock, arriving at the back post to head home from Mollie Farley's hooked cross into the box.

Jill Stacey's side almost fell further behind as another teasing cross from the left wing - this time by Demi Devereaux - was only cleared into the path of Farley, who sent her effort over the crossbar.

Before the conclusion of the opening 45 minutes, Donnelly kept Liverpool at bay with a tremendous stop, tipping Farley's dipping strike from 20 yards over the top of the bar.

In their search for an equaliser, the Lady Magpies began the second half brightly, with Abbey Joice racing onto a through ball before rounding Pope but a heavy touch to pass the goalkeeper required the forward to tee up Wilson, who saw her shot blocked.

Olley took her turn in front of goal, forcing Pope to push her speculative attempt over the bar with the ball destined for the top corner.

Ellen Turnbull was sent on for United and the substitute was unfortunate not to get Newcastle back on level terms. After a scramble in the box, the forward's initial was saved by Pope before Rhiannon Gray drove an effort inches wide of the right hand post.

The home side were made to pay for their string of misses as Nicola James doubled Liverpool's advantage, tapping the ball into the net after Donnelly parried Jennifer Rogers' shot into the path of the central midfielder as Newcastle were unable to deal with a corner.

It proved to be a lesson in finishing for Newcastle as Seagraves grabbed the third, getting onto the end of Rogers' backheel pass before rounding Donnelly to slot the ball into an empty net.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Rebecca Olley (Megan McKenzie 88), Rhiannon Gray, Victoria Curtis, Courtney Lock, Jessica Hennessy, Bethany Guy, Nicole Dack (Stephanie Ord 68), Lauren Wilson (Ellen Turnbull 57), Abbey Joice.