Match Preview: Liverpool Women vs. LCFC Women
- Third-place Liverpool are LCFC Women's next FA Women's Championship opponents
- The promotion-chasing pair go head-to-head at Prenton Park on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off)
- City have won their last six league fixtures in a run stretching back to November
- Watch the game live on The FA Player and follow the action via the Club's social media channels
The 2pm kick-off at Prenton Park pits the top-of-the-table Foxes against third-place Liverpool, who parted company with manager Vicky Jepson earlier this week.
LCFC.com provides all the information you need ahead of the behind-closed-doors fixture...
The Foxes camp
The team's winning run in the league now stretches to six games following last Sunday's 2-1 triumph over Sheffield United. Natasha Flint netted the winner 13 minutes from time after Ashleigh Plumptre's opener - her first goal for the Club - was cancelled out by Katie Wilkinson's free-kick.
The result maintains City's position at the top of the standings and they now hold a three-point lead over Durham, who drew 1-1 with Lewes last time out. Next up, City host Crystal Palace at Farley Way Stadium on Sunday 24 January (2pm kick-off).
In the Continental Tyres League Cup, meanwhile, the Foxes secured safe passage into the semi-finals for the first time on Thursday, beating Palace 1-0 at Hayes Lane, courtesy of Flint's 89th-minute rocket in the capital.
Ones to watch
Rinsola Babajide's return of five goals and three assists in 11 league games puts her top of Liverpool's goal and assist charts, while she was also their second highest goalscorer in the previous two WSL seasons.
The 22-year-old winger previously played for Millwall and Watford before joining the Reds in January 2018. Having represented England at Under-21 level, she received her first call-up to the England Women's squad in September 2020.
Fans' favourite Rachel Furness has provided four goals and laid on a further two for her team-mates so far this term, during her first full season as a Liverpool player.
Signing from Reading in December 2019 after a loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, the Northern Ireland international is one of the most experienced players in the squad, also spending time at Newcastle United, Sunderland and Grindavik in Iceland.
Former Manchester City winger Melissa Lawley joined the Reds ahead of the 2019/20 season, following three years playing for the Citizens.
Spells with Arsenal and Bristol Academy proceeded another three year stint in the WSL, with Birmingham City. The 26-year-old, who has 11 England caps, is the only outfield player to feature in every minute of Liverpool's 2020/21 Championship campaign and has two goals and two assists to her name.
Talking points
"Liverpool are a fantastic team with lots of experience and lots of WSL experience," Jonathan Morgan told LCFC TV. "The league’s not finished at all yet. They’re going to have a massive say.
"They’re still massive title contenders and still favourites, in my opinion, in terms of the way they can play and what they can do. They’re obviously going to think we’re a little tired after today’s game.
"Our girls will go back and recover, rest up, and get ready on Saturday for the game on Sunday. We’re just looking forward for the challenge and to play another team."
Opposition form guide
Former assistant manager Amber Whiteley has taken interim charge of the team following Vicky Jepson's departure on Tuesday. Liverpool are currently eight points behind Leicester in the standings, albeit with a game in hand.
The Reds' last fixture, a 2-0 loss at Durham on 20 December, was their first league defeat since October. Scheduled to meet London Bees in their opening game of 2021 last Sunday, the match was subsequently postponed.
Back in December, a 4-0 home win over Crystal Palace, in which Rinsola Babajide (2), Amy Rodgers and Amalie Thestrup were all on the scoresheet, was followed up by a hard fought 1-0 victory versus London City Lionesses, thanks to Meikayla Moore's first-half finish.
Last time out
Paige Bailey-Gayle and Lachante Paul provided the Leicester goals either side of half-time which saw off Liverpool in October 2020, marking a 2-1 victory over Sunday's opponents at Farley Way Stadium.
It was the first league meeting between the two sides in the FA Women's Championship and, despite Jess Clarke's 61st minute finish, it was the Foxes who took all three points.
How to follow
Sunday's game is to be streamed live and for free on The FA Player (free sign up), while supporters will also be able to follow all of the action from Birkenhead by heading over to LCFC Women's official social media channels.
Matchday build-up and regular in-game updates and can be assessed on Twitter, while there will be plenty more content over on Instagram and Facebook. After the full-time whistle, post-match reaction from the Foxes camp, including interviews and match highlights, will be available on LCFC TV.
All times GMT.