Everton vs Liverpool – WSL preview: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
Everton and Liverpool kick off Women’s Football Weekend with what could well be a record-breaking Merseyside derby on Friday night.
The game at Goodison Park matches the reverse fixture being played at Anfield in September, with more than 27,000 in attendance that day.
Everton claimed the bragging rights with a 3-0 win. But despite what might be considered contrasting seasons, not that much actually seprates these clubs in the table coming into this one.
The Toffees sit in the top half, having enjoyed a good run either side of the winter break and generally beating those below them in the table. They were even recently the first team this season to keep a clean sheet against Manchester United in any competition. Yet their season has arguably fizzled out a little since then, losing at home to Aston Villa and failing to beat bottom club Leicester last time out.
Liverpool started the campaign in the best possible way when, as a newly promoted team, they inflicted a shock defeat on reigning champions Chelsea. But that was followed by five consecutive WSL losses and a total of seven without a win. The Reds have won three of the last six in the league since then, but also struggled against a resurgent Leicester during that period.
With victory here, Everton could go nine points clear of their city rivals in the table and all but guarantee finishing above them again. But Liverpool could equally cut the deficit to nine points and give themselves an excellent chance of maybe even securing a top half finish.
When is kick off? Friday 24 March, 19:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Goodison Park
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event/Football (UK), Paramount+ (US), FA Player (International)
What time does TV coverage start in the UK? 19:00 (GMT)
Referee? Melissa Burgin
Everton welcomed Katrine Veje back off the bench last time out, putting her in contention for more minutes or even a start at Goodison this time.
Karen Holmgaard is being monitored under concussion protocol but was expected to train on Thursday morning. On-loan goalkeeper Emily Ramsey suffered an injury on international duty with England last month and remains out. The Toffees have no other fitness concerns.
Jasmine Matthews, Melissa Lawley and Shanice van de Sanden have all returned to training in a significant boost for Liverpool.
But the Reds remain without captain Niamh Fahey and veteran forwrd Natasha Dowie, as well as long-term absentee Leanne Kiernan.
Everton showed in the reverse fixture at Anfield that they have the quality to win the derby. Even with a couple of disappointing results in recent weeks and Liverpool welcoming a few players back to training, the support of a Goodison crowd and a special night under the lights should push them on.