Shaw is one of the most high profile black female footballers in the world, and in the WSL there is no active striker who can touch her.

She has scored 11 league goals this season, three more than second-highest scorer Alessia Russo, despite playing two matches fewer.

City’s player of the year in each of the last two seasons, Shaw has scored 88 goals in just 102 appearances for the club.

She is loved and respected at City, with the stadium announcer emphasising she was “our number 21” following both goals for the fourth-placed side.

“It was incredible,” team-mate Lauren Hemp told Sky Sports. “Bunny has been through a lot recently so it’s great for her and it’s great for us to see her back scoring goals like she always has done.”

It is in games like this one against Liverpool where her quality shines brightest. With plenty of chances at both ends missed, Shaw had two half-opportunities and took both.

The first saw her control and turn in half a yard of space before firing across the keeper. For the second she controlled a cross at waist height before swivelling and netting with a half-volley,

“It could have been 6-4 tonight in chances,” Liverpool manager Matt Beard said afterwards. “The difference tonight was Bunny Shaw.”

As women’s football continues to grow, abuse such as that suffered by Shaw may only become more prevalent.

Fans of the WSL must hope she continues to ply her trade in England. On her best days, such as this one, Shaw is a remarkable athlete – physically imposing while carrying one of the best touches and finishing ability in the modern game.

“Man City needed the moment, they needed the big-game player,” former Sheffield United forward Courtney Sweetman-Kirk told Sky Sports.

“That’s how you prove a point to people.”