Manchester United and Liverpool women teams dey meet for Barclays Women’s Super League match at Progress with Unity Stadium. The game don kick off. Liverpool dey chase back-to-back wins and third clean sheet of the campaign. Manchester United dey chase back-to-back wins and first clean sheet of the season.
For team news, Mao Itamura set to be available for Liverpool visit. The summer signing from Feyenoord been sidelined since she undergo minor abdominal surgery, but she fit make her competitive debut for the Reds. Lucy Parry, Sophie Roman Haug and Mari Ward don be ruled out of Saturday afternoon clash. Gareth Taylor talk say Lucy Parry and Mari Ward dey that bit closer. ‘They won’t be in the squad this weekend but I think having them back after the international break is going to be really important, because I think we have nine games between the next international break and the one afterwards.’ Roman Haug also pick up problem, metatarsal injury. ‘We’re just trying to establish the details of that and how long that will keep her out.’ Taylor add say losing Aurelie Csillag na opportunity for Roman Haug but they go need patience. ‘She’s not going to be ready for a few weeks.’ On Itamura, coach say: ‘In terms of tomorrow, we’ll get Itamura back and available with the squad, which is good news. That’s a positive.’
Vivien Endemann no go play. Liverpool head coach Gareth Taylor tell BBC One say Viv get issue she pick up in the week. ‘Unfortunately it will rule her out of today and international duty. We should get her back for that return on the international break.’ The winger also withdraw from Germany squad, and na big blow for visitors.
Gareth Taylor also yarn about wetin change inside him team recently. ‘A lot of things. I think confidence, physicality, fitness, understanding. A change in mentality I think has been the big one. Many contributing factors.’ He talk say the girls been excellent in pre-season and dem carry that form into league regardless results. ‘Every game we have out on a good representation of ourselves. Hopefully on the back of that, the result takes care of itself. We look forward to the challenge today.’
Manchester United head coach Eva Olid face BBC One and talk say pressure always dey because being at Manchester United you have to perform and win. ‘It has been a few weeks, and it is calmer than the first ones. I think that’s what the team needed. Little by little.’ She talk say attacking na totally different style previously to wetin team had. ‘Start looking at the team and I can see a lot of things we work on in the training and on the pitch. Improvements are the most important thing.’ Olid add: ‘It doesn’t matter who is the opposition, but we have to try to win every game and prepare 100%, play 100% every week because all the opponents are difficult.’ She talk about Liverpool: ‘I think that Liverpool, they have been now working together with the same manager this is the second season. I think it’s something so good that Liverpool did is give this manager time last season when they were not having the results. They trust the manager and now you can see know how good they are playing after all this year of transition and now you can see so clear how they play and the ideas. And I think that is all this time working together as a team with the same manager and for that I think it’s one of the most difficult teams to play against this season.’
Manchester United had tough start to season. Dem fail to win any of opening three games before beating West Ham last time out. United concede seven goals in opening two matches as dem fall to defeat against London City Lionesses and Chelsea. Eva Olid side be on course for first win of season when dem travel to Arsenal but concede equaliser in 95th minute, settle for point. At fourth time of asking, dem beat West Ham but concede late penalty in 92nd minute. The Red Devils dey look for back-to-back wins and first clean sheet of season as dem face rivals Liverpool.
Liverpool thrash Charlton in first Women’s Super League match of season before drawing with Tottenham. Dem suffer first defeat against defending champions Manchester City but bounce back with huge win against rivals Everton at Anfield. Gareth Taylor side also dey look for back-to-back wins and opportunity dey for dem to get third clean sheet of campaign.
Pundits for BBC One also share their view. Rachel Brown-Finnis talk say Andrea Medina needed to get goal-side, and then she get simple strike coming onto it. ‘It was a good sweeping move from Manchester United. Fast start from the home side, attacking down the right and a low cross is dummied by Ella Toone. Andrea Medina was arriving just behind her but wasn’t expecting the dummy and Liverpool clear.’ Steph Houghton talk say she think there’s very clear identity with Liverpool. ‘A lot of new players coming in over the summer and Gareth Taylor and his teams take time to get going. It’s about confidence and physicality and with pressing from the front.’ Ellen White talk say bit more bounce dey in Eva Olid step. ‘A disappointment the first couple of games and she probably only had two weeks of pre-season to embed her philosophy. Obviously, for it to come to fruition in the last couple of games, especially against Arsenal. Eva Olid wants to play out from the back. At times, it is difficult to understand that. For me, the backline have got to have better body shape and receive the ball at the right time.’ Ellen White also talk on Liverpool pressing: ‘It is showing the opposition one-way, it is being in the right position. Stopping those passing lanes. I think it has been brilliant the variety of press as well.’
