The Reds evenly matched the champions for large spells of Saturday’s clash at Stamford Bridge, which appeared to be heading for stalemate.

But Aggie Beever-Jones found the net a minute past the regulation 90 to earn the points for the home side – unbeaten through the entire season – with the result meaning the visitors ended the campaign in seventh place.

Liverpool made a confident start and enjoyed more of the ball in the early phases, though their several deliveries into the box from the left did not fashion a chance.

The hosts’ threat had been limited to a through ball to which Rachael Laws reacted quickly and effectively, smothering the ball before Beever-Jones could meet it.

Chelsea tried to up the ante with a wicked low cross past the front of goal from Sjoeke Nusken that somehow continued on its path without a touch from anyone.

Beever-Jones was blocked at the near post when the ball was returned into the Reds box, while Nusken was off target with a low effort from 20 yards shortly after.

Nusken was involved in another half-chance just shy of the 30-minute mark, turning Sandy Baltimore’s lifted cross towards the net with a looping header that was a comfortable take for Laws.

The contest continued in much the same vein until near-misses in quick succession on the cusp of the interval.

Liverpool almost released Olivia Smith into a one-on-one with a knock over the top but home goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was rapidly out to clear.

Marie Höbinger then went closest of all for the visitors. Her high press forced an error and took possession from Millie Bright and the Austrian clipped an instinctive chip at goal that was only just over.

Immediately at the other end, Baltimore’s quick feet carried her to the byline and her centre was back-heeled marginally wide by Wieke Kaptein.

Chelsea began the second period with intent and twice threatened early on.

Taylor Hinds had to produce a perfectly timed block tackle to deny Erin Cuthbert when she prepared to fire at goal from fellow half-time introduction Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s pass.

The lively Baltimore then rasped an effort from the edge of the Liverpool area that was narrowly wide of the right post.

The Reds’ response saw a diagonal Höbinger free-kick from the left glanced across the six-yard box by Gemma Bonner towards Ceri Holland, who could not make contact for a potential tap-in.

Hinds blocked Beever-Jones’ glanced header from a near-post corner and Kaneryd directed a shot straight at Laws from a good position as the Blues pushed for a breakthrough.

Liverpool recreated the routine of Höbinger angled set-piece aiming for Bonner in the closing moments and this time the latter’s header carried wide.

That effort came soon after interim head coach Amber Whiteley sent on Niamh Fahey for the last appearance of her stellar career before retirement, as well as Yana Daniels and Jasmine Matthews for the swansongs of their time at the club.

The final say went to the Blues, however. From a breakaway, Beever-Jones traded passes with Ashley Lawrence and ran through to drive the ball past Laws from close range.

Liverpool: Laws, Fisk (Fahey, 83), Bonner, Evans, Hinds, Kerr, Nagano (Matthews, 83), Höbinger, Holland (Daniels, 76), Roman H. (Kapocs, 76), Smith (Clark, 69).

Unused subs: Micah, Kirby, Enderby.