Preview: Liverpool v United Women

Marc Skinner’s Reds were held to a goalless draw by Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village last Sunday and thus dropped from the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League to second. But, with two wins and a draw from the opening three fixtures, and well-deserved qualification for the Champions League secured, it has been an impressive new beginning. 

An emotionally charged Liverpool will aim to disrupt that positive momentum in Sunday’s midday kick-off. Here’s everything you need to know…

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

The contest kicks off at 12:00 BST on Sunday and is being shown live on Sky Sports and the WSL YouTube channel.

Radio commentary is provided in the United App and highlights will appear on our channels, along with detailed match coverage later in the day.

TEAM NEWS

Rachel Williams made her United return as a late substitute in Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village.

Celin Bizet Donnum played 76 minutes in that fixture, having been rested, as a precaution, for our prior game, the UEFA Champions League victory over Brann. Jayde Riviere was absent due to a niggle.

Marc Skinner last floated a return date of the end of the month for Simi Awuji and Leah Galton, so fans will eagerly await hearing the latest when he next speaks to the media. The boss may also provide a fresh update on Millie Turner, who has been having a knee injury assessed. His pre-match press conference will be held on Friday morning, although he’ll talk with club media before then.

The hosts are without long-term absentees Zara Shaw (knee) and Rachael Laws (hand). Alejandra Bernabe, the Spanish full-back who rejoined Liverpool from Chelsea earlier this month, after a successful loan stint, has recently linked up with the main training group.

Midfielder Sofie Lundgaard returned to the bench in Liverpool’s last game, on 14 September. She had been out since October 2024.

Loan signing Risa Shimizu, who joined from Manchester City, has made two substitute appearances so far, but manager Gareth Taylor hinted at increased involvement soon, with an enhanced training load.

We’ll have a better idea of the Liverpool squad after their League Cup fixture against Sunderland on Wednesday night (19:00 BST).

TRIBUTES TO BE PAID TO MATT BEARD

This will be Liverpool’s first league game since the tragic news of the death of former manager Matt Beard.

Beard was admired by the whole of the women’s football world. Tributes were paid to his life and legacy at our most recent game, against Arsenal last Sunday at Leigh Sports Village.

"Beardy's an incredible human," United boss Skinner said, in an emotional post-match press conference.

"He has and will continue to leave a legacy in our game. I'm a big believer in that and I think you live on in people's memories, even when your body's not here anymore.

"I know that I'll keep his legacy alive by talking about him all the time…I've got two of his assistants who tell me so many funny stories [from the] inside, so I think that's where we're sharing his special memory. I think he's iconic in our game. I'll go as far as saying iconic.

"He's worked up from the lowest of the lowest levels, all the way up to the very highest at the top. So for me, and it's a very sad day, but there's some solace in knowing that his memory will always live on. He was a larger-than-life character; it's really important that we share that so that people don't forget about that. I'm going to have a drink to him tonight."

Liverpool’s scheduled game against Aston Villa - which was due to be played on Sunday lunchtime - was postponed as a result of the sad news.

LAST MEETING

These two sides met only five weeks ago, when Ella Toone’s 90th-minute equaliser secured a 2-2 draw in our final game of pre-season, at Leigh Sports Village.

FORM GUIDE

Since then, United have been in fine form, including on the continental stage, where we progressed past PSV Eindhoven and Hammarby in the Champions League qualifiers in Sweden, before triumphing in a two-legged battle with Brann to secure league phase qualification.

Skinner’s Reds began the WSL campaign in flying form, putting four past Leicester City on the opening weekend - without reply - and then defeating newcomers London City Lionesses 5-1 at Hayes Lane.

Last weekend’s 0-0 home draw with Arsenal was a tightly contested affair, and leaves United second in the division.

Liverpool, meanwhile, sit 11th, after defeats to local rivals Everton (4-1) and Leicester City (1-0).

After the postponement of their league fixture at Villa due to Beard’s passing, they are set to host Sunderland in the League Cup on Wednesday, where they’ll aim to both pay tribute to their former manager and regain some rhythm after 10 days without a game.

WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?

SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

Arsenal v Aston Villa

SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

Manchester City v London City Lionesses
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool v UNITED
Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton
West Ham United v Chelsea (14:30 BST)

Kick-offs 12:00 BST unless stated.