Preview: Arsenal Women vs. Liverpool Women
Just days after they lifted the League Cup, Arsenal Women will turn their attention back to Women’s Super League action when they play host to Liverpool Women on Wednesday.
While the Gunners are currently sitting in fourth position in the WSL table, Liverpool head into the midweek encounter in eighth place.
After being knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea at the end of February, Arsenal were looking for revenge when they faced the Blues in the League Cup final on Sunday.
Despite falling behind to a second-minute effort from Sam Kerr, the Gunners had turned the game on its head by the 24th minute thanks to a Stina Blackstenius strike and a Kim Little spot kick.
A Niamh Charles own goal in first-half stoppage time gave Arsenal a 3-1 lead, which they held onto for the remainder of the game to claim their first piece of silverware since 2019.
After winning their sixth League Cup trophy, Arsenal will immediately turn their attention to Wednesday’s league game as they look to continue their impressive head-to-head record against Liverpool, having won their last eight competitive meetings.
While Jonas Eidevall’s side are currently five points adrift of third-placed Chelsea, the midweek encounter represents one of two games in hand that they have over Manchester City and Manchester United, who are six and nine points ahead of the Gunners respectively.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are set to return to action for the first time since the international break as they bid to extend their five-point cushion to the sole relegation place.
In their most recent outing, the Reds were narrowly beaten by basement side Leicester City, representing Liverpool’s fifth defeat in their last six competitive games.
If eighth-placed Liverpool are to progress up the WSL table then they will need to improve upon their away record, having picked up just two points from their five away league games this season.
As a result of their struggles on the road, the Reds are one of two sides – alongside Reading – who are still waiting for their first WSL away victory of the 2022-23 campaign.
While claiming three points against a top-quality Arsenal side may prove to be a tough ask, Matt Beard will want his side to offer a resolute defensive display after conceding 14 goals in their previous four away league matches.
Arsenal Women Women’s Super League form:
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Arsenal Women form (all competitions):
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Liverpool Women Women’s Super League form:
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Liverpool Women form (all competitions):
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We say: Arsenal Women 3-0 Liverpool Women
Arsenal will be in a buoyant mood following their League Cup success, and after winning their last eight competitive meetings with Liverpool, we think that they will ease to another victory on Wednesday.