Preview: Liverpool Women vs. Arsenal Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Liverpool Women will try to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Manchester City when they welcome Arsenal Women to Prenton Park on Sunday.

The Gunners, who occupy third place in the Women's Super League table, will have the chance to claim a fourth consecutive victory in all competitions.

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Match preview

After going five competitive games without defeat, Liverpool were brought back down to earth with a forgettable outing in last Sunday's clash with Man City.

Taylor Hinds scored a 15th-minute opener to get the Reds off to a positive start, but the Citizens quickly equalised thanks to a Gemma Bonner own goal, before a Bunny Shaw hat-trick and a Chloe Kelly penalty condemned the Reds to a 5-1 defeat.

Despite experiencing a disappointing result, Liverpool remain in fifth place at the halfway mark of the WSL season, having won five, drawn three and lost three of their 11 league matches.

While they face a tough test this weekend, the hosts can take confidence from their home record after winning three of their five home games in the WSL this term (D1, L1).

Matt Beard's charges also have the chance to complete a league double over their title-chasing opponents following their 1-0 win in October's reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have kicked off 2024 with three consecutive victories in all competitions, beginning with a commanding 5-1 win over Championship side Watford in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

They backed up that result with a 2-1 league victory over Everton following goals from Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead, before they eased to another comfortable win in Wednesday's League Cup clash with second-tier Reading.

Stina Blackstenius registered a hat-trick to help Arsenal cruise to a 6-0 victory, ensuring that they topped their group with three wins and a draw.

After sealing their place in the League Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal will now turn their attention to the WSL title race, with the Gunners sitting three points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Having won eight of their last nine league matches (L1), the North London club will fancy their chances of claiming maximum points in Sunday's contest.

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Team News

Liverpool can no longer call upon the services of Natasha Flint, who recently returned to Celtic for a second loan spell with the Scottish club.

Leanne Kiernan is closing in on a return to fitness, but it remains to be seen whether she will be ready for Sunday's contest.

Midfielder Ceri Holland is expected to come into the starting lineup after missing the defeat to Man City through suspension.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall is still without the injured trio of Laura Wienroither, Lina Hurtig and Teyah Goldie.

Defender Leah Williamson will feature in the matchday squad after she made her long-awaited return from injury as a second-half substitute in Wednesday's League Cup game against Reading.

Despite netting a hat-trick in midweek, Blackstenius may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Alessia Russo expected to lead the line.

Liverpool Women possible starting lineup: Micah; Clark, Bonner, Fisk; Koivisto, Hobinger, Nagano, Hinds; Holland; Van de Sanden, Haug

Arsenal Women possible starting lineup: Zinsberger; Fox, Ilstedt, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Pelova, Walti; Mead, Miedema, Foord; Russo

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We say: Liverpool Women 1-3 Arsenal Women

Arsenal may have lost to Liverpool in the reverse fixture, but we think that they will get their revenge in Sunday's fixture, having won eight of their last nine league matches.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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