Everton Women head into the weekend’s derby at Anfield in search of a fourth straight win after Wednesday night’s Subway Players Cup victory over Birmingham City at Goodison Park, where some eye-catching performances will have given head coach Scott Phelan a few decisions to make ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
The boss made some changes, including first starts of the season for Rylee Foster-Inman, Aurora Galli, Issy Hobson and club captain Megan Finnigan, who finally graced the Goodison Park turf
after over 600 days out following an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
But it was the performances of Zara Kramzar and Yuka Momiki that illuminated the fixture, with both players on the scoresheet and the latter also getting an assist for the former to nod home and become the first Everton player to score for the Blues this season.
Kramzar’s position was further forward than she has been deployed since her time with the Toffees, and the Slovenia star did not look out of place leading the line, while Momiki – who bagged screamer – has caught the eye when on the field, including providing the effort that led to Everton’s winning goal away at West Ham.
One player who definitely won’t be retaining her place from Wednesday is Issy Hobson, who was withdrawn after five minutes following a collision in the middle of the park. Phelan has confirmed that a scan on the young star has confirmed that it wasn’t as bad as first feared, although the academy graduate is facing a period of rehabilitation on the sidelines.
Whoever gets the nod on Sunday, they will know what is at stake and what the boss expects of them.
The Opposition
Gareth Taylor’s side sit two places and two points below their city rivals having won one, lost one and draw one in their first three WSL games.
The Reds were also victorious in their opening Subway Players Cup game against Sunderland.
A side who know where the net is, Liverpool have scored in all four games so far and boast an impressive array of attacking talent, including summer signing Vivien Endemann and Swedish star Cornelia Kapocs, both of whom have been amongst the goals recently.
Japan star Fuka Nagano is also one to watch as the talented midfielder often makes her team tick, certainly in an atatcking sense.
Taylor didn’t give too much away regarding team news having made a number of changes to his side on Wednesday, but did indicate that Sunday may be a bit soon for the likes of Mari Ward, Mao Itamura and Lucy Parry.
But having already shipped five (albeit four against Manchester City) Phelan will know his selections in the forward areas will be pivotal if Everton are to make it four wins on the trot.
Previous Meetings
Advantage has been with the Reds in the last two games, with Liverpool besting the Blues in both the FA Cup and Goodison Park.
However Anfield has been a very happy hunting ground for Everton in recent years, with the Toffees victorious in their last four visits, including a 4-1 rout on the opening day of last season and a debut hattrick for Ornella Vignola.
In fact, Liverpool’s triumph over their neighbours last season was their first time they had beaten the Blues in the WSL since their return to the top flight in 2o22.
And Phelan will be hoping that his side’s good form – both in derbies and recently – continues this weekend.
Everton Women take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, 27 September, at 2pm BST (9am ET, 6am PT).
