A goal for Jane Ross cancelled out Rosie White’s first-half strike as the two sides shared the points for the second successive game.
A frustrating afternoon saw the Blues fall behind after just three minutes but a spirited second half fightback, inspired by new signing Tessel Middag, rescued a point to preserve their unbeaten run.
The hosts remain top of the table but will feel disappointed with a draw, as a crowd of 2,172 turned out to witness the first game at the Academy Stadium in almost two months.
Cushing made one change to the side that faced the Reds last time out, as Daphne Corboz came in to replace Nikita Parris.
Liverpool started brightly and left the hosts shellshocked, opening the scoring as White skipped through the defence before slotting under Karen Bardsley. It was the first league goal City side had conceded all season.
England’s number one was then called into action again ten minutes later, doing well to keep out a long-range Alex Greenwood free-kick.
The away side enjoyed much more of the possession and adapted better to the condition of the pitch, which had been previously occupied by those taking part in the U20 Rugby World Cup and so was not in its usually-pristine state.
The hosts’ best chance arrived on the half-hour mark as Toni Duggan released Ross down the left. The Scot found the space to deliver the perfect cross but the sliding duo of Duggan and Corboz were unable to convert.
Liverpool then struck the bar as Caroline Weir tried her luck from distance.
Duggan then attempted a curled effort towards the far corner in the last action of the half, as City headed into the break behind and frustrated.
There was improvement after the restart. Parris was introduced to give the Blues some much-needed pace and creativity.
The substitute tested the ‘keeper within minutes but the effort was comfortably saved. Duggan watched a drive suffer the same fate moments later before the forward then headed over Lucy Bronze’s cross.
Cushing then brought Middag into play for her debut and the Dutch star had an instant impact, playing a fine ball to Parris who delivered a dangerous cross for Ross to convert.
The midfielder almost turned the game on its head with a fine low drive, which Chamberlain pushed wide. From the resulting corner, Parris headed over.
Scott and Jennifer Beattie also saw headers well-saved – again from Middag deliveries – and Kosovare Asllani poked just wide as the home side sought to turn the screw.
In injury time, City also had strong shouts for a penalty waved away, and substitute Megan Campbell caused havoc in the Reds box with her incredible throw-ins, before Bardsley and Chamberlain both produced excellent stops to prevent a winner in a thrilling final few minutes.
Next up for the Blues is a trip to Aston Villa in the Continental Cup on 2 July.
