Manchester United welcome Liverpool to the Progress With Unity Stadium on Saturday as both sides look to take momentum into the international break.
Eva Olid’s side have won three consecutive matches in all competitions, including their first Women’s Super League victory of the season against West Ham United last weekend. Liverpool arrive in good form themselves, having taken seven points from their opening four WSL matches before beating Birmingham City 4-3 in the Subway Players Cup in midweek.
United won both league meetings between the teams last season, but Gareth Taylor expects another game decided by small margins as Liverpool attempt to continue one of their strongest starts to a WSL campaign.
Manchester United vs Liverpool match information
Competition: Women’s Super League
Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
Kick-off: 13:30 BST
Venue: Progress With Unity Stadium
How to watch Manchester United vs Liverpool
Manchester United vs Liverpool will be shown live in the UK on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
The match will also be available through the WSL’s official YouTube channel, while Manchester United will provide live radio commentary through MUTV, ManUtd.com and the United App.
Saturday will be a milestone occasion for the hosts, with Manchester United Women playing the 250th match in the team’s history.
Manchester United building momentum under Eva Olid
United’s start under Olid has not been completely straightforward, but results have begun to move in the right direction. A 2-1 victory over West Ham last Sunday delivered their first WSL win of the campaign before a much-changed side defeated Durham 5-1 in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday. That followed their 10-1 cup victory against Sheffield United a week earlier.
The cup matches have also allowed Olid to involve several Academy players. United finished the Durham victory with six Academy graduates aged 21 or younger on the pitch, although a stronger and more experienced team can be expected against Liverpool.
Olid confirmed on Friday that United came through their busy week without any new injury problems. “Everyone is okay, fortunately,” she said. “Apart from the players that have longer injuries from previously. The rest is the same.”
Jayde Riviere and Emma Watson remain unavailable, while Celin Bizet Donnum is moving closer to a return following maternity leave but is not expected to make her comeback this weekend. Fridolina Rolfö is also unavailable.
Liverpool make strong start to the WSL season
Liverpool travel to Leigh having collected seven points from their opening four league matches. Their latest WSL result was particularly encouraging, with Taylor’s side beating Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby. They followed that with a 4-3 victory away to Birmingham City in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday.
Liverpool’s seven points represent one of their strongest starts to a WSL campaign. Only in the 2017 Spring Series and their title-winning 2013 season have they collected more points after four matches. Liverpool FC
There are also some encouraging underlying signs. Liverpool have won possession in the final third 40 times, the highest total in the WSL so far, while they also have the league’s best duel success rate. Cornelia Kapocs has been particularly productive with two goals and an assist. Liverpool FC
Taylor believes there is still another level for his team to reach. “We need to keep improving in all of the things that we have done well,” he said. “Everything that we do, we need to keep turning it up a notch.”
Liverpool hit by several injuries
Liverpool’s strong start has come despite an increasingly difficult injury situation. Aurélie Csillag suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during Wednesday’s victory over Birmingham and now faces a significant spell on the sidelines.
Sophie Roman Haug is also unavailable after suffering a metatarsal injury, while Lucy Parry and Mari Ward will miss Saturday’s game. Taylor expects Parry and Ward to be closer to returning following the international break.
There is at least one positive development for Liverpool. Summer signing Mao Itamura is available after recovering from minor abdominal surgery and could make her competitive debut for the club.
Liverpool’s injuries leave Taylor with fewer attacking options at the end of a demanding run of fixtures, something that could become increasingly important as Saturday’s match progresses.
Manchester United have recent advantage over Liverpool
United completed a WSL double over Liverpool last season. They won 2-0 away in September before recording a 3-1 home victory in February. Overall, Liverpool have found trips to United particularly difficult, winning only one of their five previous WSL away matches against them.
Taylor is nevertheless expecting little between the sides this time. “They’re in a transition period with a new coach with new ideas, but they’ve got good players,” the Liverpool head coach said.
“It’s always a tight game, the margins are really tight. They were against Manchester City and Tottenham and I think this will be the same.”
One area United will need to watch is Liverpool’s ability to regain possession high up the pitch. Taylor’s team have been aggressive without the ball, and that could test a United side still adapting to Olid’s ideas.
At the other end, Liverpool have not been completely secure defensively, while United have shown increasing attacking confidence across their recent matches.
Predicted Line Ups
Predicted Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): Tullis-Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Olme, Miyazawa; Park, Toone, Medina; Terland.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Keating; Kerr, Clark, Fisk, Bernabé; Nagano, MacLean; Endemann, Ramos, Kapocs; Olsson.
What to expect
This should be a considerably tighter contest than either team’s midweek cup fixture. Liverpool have made the better start in terms of WSL points and arrive with confidence following their Merseyside derby victory. Their ability to compete physically, win duels and regain possession in advanced areas could make it difficult for United to establish control.
United, however, appear to be finding some momentum under Olid. Three consecutive victories have helped after a difficult beginning to the season, and they will also have home advantage against a Liverpool side dealing with several important absences.
The hosts have been efficient rather than dominant offensively in the WSL. United have taken only 25 shots and accumulated 2.8 expected goals so far, but their 16 per cent shot-conversion rate is the best in the division.
Liverpool’s injuries make their task more difficult, particularly with Roman Haug and Csillag unavailable. If United can withstand Liverpool’s pressure and find space behind their aggressive press, Olid’s side should have opportunities.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
Liverpool’s start to the season suggests this should be a competitive match, and Taylor’s side have enough quality to cause United problems.
However, United are beginning to build momentum and have won their last three matches in all competitions. With Liverpool missing several players and coming through another demanding week, home advantage could be enough for Olid’s side to edge a close contest.
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