That’s all from me! I’ll be back tomorrow for coverage of Manchester United vs Everton. We’ll also have minute-by-minute coverage of the Continental Cup final between reigning champions Arsenal and quadruple-chasers Chelsea.
Thanks for reading, have a great day!
Updated
Here’s how the table looks following today’s WSL action. Manchester City have a three-point lead at the top, but Chelsea have a game in hand.
We’re in for a treat – this title race could go down to the final day.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City Women | 18 | 37 | 46 |
| 2 | Chelsea Women | 17 | 36 | 43 |
| 3 | Arsenal Women | 17 | 19 | 37 |
| 4 | Liverpool FC Women | 18 | 1 | 29 |
| 5 | Man Utd Women | 17 | 13 | 28 |
Elsewhere in the WSL today
Aston Villa held Leicester to a 2-2 draw at the Bescot Stadium. Adriana Leon opened the scoring in the 26th minute but the visitors quickly responded thanks to Yuka Momiki.
Sam Tierney then fired Leicester into the lead, but Rachel Daly salvaged a point with 15 minutes left to play.
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor tells Sky Sports: “It was very good. At times some phenomenal play from us. I thought we were excellent in how we managed the game.
“We kept the passes short when we needed to and got in behind. Some fabulous goals. I know Bunny’s was an unbelievable strike and there were some good goals. The second goal was magic for us in terms of everting we try to do and to finish it off really well was good by Jess.
“It is a really good result from us today. This is a tough place to come. We silenced the crowd and the crowd get behind them as well. So happy to send ours off home with this lead we have at the top of the league which is great.”
Liverpool manager Matt Beard was left disappointed with this afternoon’s result. He told Sky Sports: “I thought we started the game really well. I thought we were the dominant team.
“We have had a mad 10 minutes after we conceded the first goal and then you have a mountain to climb against teams like Manchester City. It is frustrating but you can’t give the opportunities like we did against them.
“We put them under pressure but never really got back into the game. We put them in a block, stepped onto it and forced them into turnovers but we need to make sure when we get our opportunities we take them. We have had four set-plays where we have not beaten the first player and we just need to be a little bit better at that.
“The game is over at 3-0 against a team like Man City. I am pleased with what we created and chances we had but as I say, it was damage limitation and then we conceded straight after half-time so it’s frustrating.”
Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw tells Sky Sports: “Like I have always said, I try and do the best that I can to help the team and they give me the ball, so if I don’t score they will be on top of me. I just try and get myself in the best possible position to score and help the team.
“I would have to see [her first goal] back. I just think that when the ball bobbled up on me I thought ‘I am going to take this shot’ and then I saw it nestle in the top corner. Overall, it was a good goal and I am happy.
“We said we wanted to go into the international break being top of the league and put on pressure. We said ‘let them chase us’. Overall it was a great performance.”
It was another dominant display from Gareth Taylor’s side. Following a slow start, three goals in quick succession from Lauren Hemp, Jess Park and Khadija Shaw all-but sealed the win before the half-hour mark. Liverpool made some changes at the break and subsequently showed some improvement, but it wasn’t enough to get a result.
Full-time: Liverpool 1-4 Manchester City
Four goals scored and three points clear at the top of the table. An excellent afternoon for Manchester City.
Updated
90+5 min: Hasegawa wins the ball in midfield and plays it short to Park, who attempts an audacious strike from distance. Laws desperately attempts to get back onto her line, but the shot flies narrowly over the crossbar.
90+1 min: Five minutes have been added on. Manchester City appear happy to see this game out by passing the ball around the back.
90 min: Another substitution for Liverpool and it’s a significant one. Academy star Mia Leath is handed her senior debut, replacing club captain Holland.
87 min: Replays show that Hinds’ strike actually hit the crossbar before bouncing off the back of Keating and across the line – so it will likely go down as an own-goal.
85 min: Hinds receives the ball just inside Manchester City’s half and is given plenty of time and space to drive forward before unleashing a sensational strike into the top-right corner!
UNBELIEVABLE 🤯
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 30, 2024
What a strike from @taylorhinds_ 🚀#BarclaysWSL @LiverpoolFCW pic.twitter.com/c7AOcdPLUu
Updated
GOAL! Liverpool 1-4 Manchester City (Hinds, 84)
A consolation for Liverpool, but what a strike from Hinds!
80 min: Holland is booked for a clumsy challenge on Park, leaving the midfielder in some pain. The Liverpool star had scraped her studs down the ankle of Park while going for the ball. A certain booking.
78 min: Shaw has the ball in the back of the net for her hat-trick but she is flagged offside!
Brilliant defending from Fisk, who does well to hold the line.
Updated
77 min: Laws is back on her feet and able to continue for now. Kelly takes a corner and crosses the ball into the box, but Liverpool clear and go on the counter attack. Lawley goes for goal but her shot is comfortably saved by Keating.
75 min: There is some concern for Liverpool now as Laws appears to be struggling after an accidental kick to the face.
73 min: Manchester City have made two changes, with Chloe Kelly replacing Fowler and Casparij making way for Demi Stokes.
Kearns has also been booked for a challenge on Hasegawa.
71 min: Liverpool are desperately trying to create something, but any opportunity that opens up is quickly shut down by the visitors. Every shot they have been able to take has been an easy save for Keating.
68 min: Shaw wins the ball again and makes another run forward, this time squaring it across to Blindkilde Brown. The midfielder is given a clear shot at goal but blasts her effort over the crossbar.
66 min: Fisk is caught out in defence by Shaw, who wins the ball before making a run towards goal. The striker is unable to get her shot away and Liverpool can clear the danger.
63 min: Liverpool have a free kick just inside City’s half. Kearns steps up to take it but puts far too much power behind the cross, making it difficult for Enderby to bring the ball down. The visitors can eventually make the clearance.
61 min: Manchester City are next to make a change as Coombs makes way for Laura Blindkilde Brown.
60 min: Chance for the hosts as Holland receives the ball on the edge of the box. She attempts to curl it into the top-right corner, but Keating gets across her line to make a good save.
57 min: Another change for Liverpool – and another attacking one. Mia Enderby is introduced to replace Kiernan.
The Ireland international had a few glimpses at goal during the first half but struggled to make the most of them.
54 min: Lawley wins the ball from Casparij in the final third before making her way to the edge of the penalty area. She goes for goal but her effort is directed straight at Keating, who claims it with ease.
51 min: Fowler steps up to take the corner and sends a cross towards the back post. Shaw is left free to head the ball into the top-left corner. Poor defending from Liverpool.
GOAL! Liverpool 0-4 Manchester City (Shaw, 50)
Shaw with the double!
Updated
49 min: Manchester City have looked very comfortable in possession so far. Fowler looks to play Casparij on the overlap, but the ball deflects out for a corner.
46 min: Matt Beard made three changes at the break.
Missy Bo Kearns is on to make her 100th Liverpool appearances. She has replaced Bonner.
Parry has made way for Taylor Hinds, while Melissa Lawley is on for Höbinger.
Kick-off: Liverpool 0-3 Manchester City
We’re back under way!
While we wait for the second half, make sure you’re signed up to The Guardian’s weekly women’s football newsletter ‘Moving the Goalposts’.
Updated
A look at THAT Shaw strike
In case you missed it, here is Khadija Shaw’s stunning strike which put City 3-0 up.
A phenomenal strike outside the box from Bunny Shaw! 🚀#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/z06kJZtrpL
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 30, 2024
It was a slow start from Manchester City, but after 15 minutes they quickly turned things around to show exactly why they are strong title contenders.
Three goals in quick succession put them on track to go three points clear at the top of the WSL table. Gareth Taylor must be delighted.
Half-time: Liverpool 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City have a commanding lead at the break following an outstanding first-half display.
45+2 min: Huge chance for Manchester City as Hemp attempts an audacious lob in the box, forcing a stretched save from Laws on the line. There appeared to be a slight miscommunication between the goalkeeper and Bonner there, making the stop look slightly awkward.
45 min: Greenwood finds Coombs with a pass through the middle as City look to break forward, but Liverpool are able to break down the attack with a challenge in the final third.
Three minutes have been added on.
42 min: Liverpool look to go on the attack again as Höbinger splits the Manchester City defence with a pass to Roman Haug, but Keating comes out to make the clearance.
40 min: Park loses possession in midfield and Roman Haug heads straight for goal. She unleashes a shot from distance which deflects behind for a corner, but nothing comes of the set piece.
37 min: It would be fair to say that Manchester City are in cruise control right now. After a shaky opening 10 minutes they have taken the reigns of this game and shown exactly why they are title challengers.
34 min: Park is given plenty of space to make a run straight through the middle of the pitch. She sends a pass to Hemp on the left, who loses possession in the box. However, the clearance only falls as far as Coombs. Liverpool eventually get the ball away from the danger zone – just about.
32 min: Laws is almost caught out in the box by Hemp, who closes her down and almost wins the ball in a dangerous area, but it deflects behind for a goal kick. A huge sigh of relief comes from the goalkeeper.
30 min: Another chance for Manchester City as Park crosses the ball into the box. Kennedy goes for goal with a header but her effort flies over the crossbar.
28 min: City lose the ball in midfield following a brief lapse in concentration and Kiernan is sent through on goal. She shoots from the edge of the box but her effort flies wide.
25 min: Laws attempts to clear the ball, but it only goes as far as Park and Coombs. The latter passes it to Shaw who takes it down before unleashing an outstanding strike from distance that flies into the top-right corner!
Updated
GOAL! Liverpool 0-3 Manchester City (Shaw, 24)
Shaw with an absolute stunner! What a strike!
Updated
23 min: Greenwood sends a brilliant pass over to Fowler on the right, who cuts inside and sets the ball to Park. The midfielder goes for goal, firing her shot across Laws before it rattles the post and flies in.
Brilliant skill and a superb finish from Jess Park 🤩#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/CbXPoJyV73
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 30, 2024
Updated
GOAL! Liverpool 0-2 Manchester City (Park, 22)
Park makes it two!
Updated
19 min: As mentioned earlier, Manchester City have been known to pop up and score out of nowhere at times this season – and this is a perfect example.
Liverpool dominated the opening 10 minutes but just a few moments after the visitors started to take back some control, Hemp was there break the deadlock.
Updated
17 min: Shaw drops back to kick off the attack, switching the ball over to Fowler on the right. The winger sets it back to Park who goes for goal, but Laws parries it into the path of Hemp. The winger then simply slots the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.
Quick reactions inside the box from @lauren__hemp to find the back of the net! ⚡️#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/4TjqZYo40U
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 30, 2024
Updated
GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Manchester City (Hemp, 16)
And just like that, City take the lead!
Updated
13 min: Manchester City are starting to grow in confidence now, with Liverpool dropping back.
11 min: Liverpool enjoyed 65% possession in the opening 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Manchester City have barely had a proper look at goal. The hosts need to make the most of this dominant spell as City have been known to score out of nowhere in the past.
9 min: Liverpool look to break forward again as Kiernan looks to play Roman Haug in over the top, but the latter is in an offside position.
This has been a brilliant start for the hosts.
6 min: Höbinger forces Keaing into a save after her cross-cum-shot flies towards the top-right corner. The City goalkeeper has no issues in claiming the ball.
Updated
5 min: A very confident move from Laws as she turns Shaw while in possession on the edge of her six-yard box. Very risky, but certainly impressive! I don’t think she’ll be trying that again anytime soon though!
3 min: Liverpool are causing some problems for Manchester City in these early stages. Höbinger is looking very likely in midfield, stretching the City defence with some clever passes.
1 min: Liverpool win an early free kick in a threatening position following a foul on Kiernan. Höbinger sends the ball into the box but Keating comes off her line to punch it clear.
Kick-off
We’re under way at Prenton Park!
Both teams observe a minute of silence to pay tribute to the 97 people that tragically died at Hillsborough in April 1989.
Updated
The teams are out! We’re just a few minutes away from kick-off. Don’t forget, you can email in with your thoughts on the game at any time. I’ll be with you all afternoon!
Elsewhere in the WSL this weekend:
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
Manchester United vs Everton
West Ham vs Brighton
Arsenal, Chelsea, Bristol and Tottenham are not in WSL action this weekend due to the Continental Cup final, which takes place tomorrow.
Chloe Kelly is on the bench once again for Manchester City today. She has not been named in the starting line-up since March 7, with Mary Fowler taking her preferred spot on the right wing. Gareth Taylor addressed the situation last week, saying: “It’s just basically we have good players. We put Mary [Fowler] into the FA Cup game, she scores.
“She scores against Brighton. Mary’s a very good player. She started the first eight or nine games this season for us. Of course, the demands are really high of what we ask for, in kind of goals and assists from those players, without it being all about that. But Mary has taken her opportunity and now what Chloe has to do is work hard every day in training to be ready.”
What do you think, City fans? Does Kelly deserve to be starting given her impressive form this season?
It’s the end of an era for Manchester City. Club legend Steph Houghton has announced that she will retire from professional football at the end of the season. The 35-year-old, who has also played for Sunderland, Leeds and Arsenal, announced the news on social media earlier this week.
In a career that has spanned 20 years she has won 16 domestic trophies and been capped 121 times by England.
Manchester City have made just one change from last weekend’s derby day victory over Manchester United, with Laia Aleixandri stepping back into defence and replacing Leila Ouahabi.
As for Liverpool, two academy stars have been named in the matchday squad for the first time in Maddy Duffy and Mia Leath.
Updated
Team news
Liverpool starting XI: Rachael Laws; Grace Fisk, Gemma Bonner, Jenna Clark; Emma Koivisto, Lucy Parry, Ceri Holland (C), Fuka Nagano, Marie Höbinger; Sophie Roman Haug, Leanne Kiernan. Substitutes: Teagan Micah, Missy Bo Kearns, Melissa Lawley, Taylor Hinds, Mia Enderby, Maddy Duffy, Mia Leath.
⭐ #LIVMCI TEAM NEWS ⭐
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) March 30, 2024
This is how we line up to face Manchester City 🔴 pic.twitter.com/njeWCaxUJS
Manchester City starting XI: Khiara Keating; Laia Aleixandri, Alex Greenwood (C), Alanna Kennedy, Kerstin Casparij; Laura Coombs, Yui Hasegawa, Jess Park; Mary Fowler, Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp. Substitutes: Sandy MacIver, Demi Stokes, Steph Houghton, Chloe Kelly, Filippa Angeldahl, Esme Morgan, Poppy Pritchard, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Ruby Mace.
Today's squad! 🩵
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) March 30, 2024
XI | Keating, Aleixandri, Greenwood (C), Coombs, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa, Kennedy
SUBS | MacIver, Stokes, Houghton, Kelly, Angeldahl, Morgan, Pritchard, Blindkilde, Mace#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/cvK7onGBcP
Updated
Preamble
Hello, good afternoon and welcome to coverage of today’s WSL clash between Liverpool and Manchester City. Matt Beard’s side moved above Manchester United in the league table last weekend for the first time this season. Now, they hope to close the eight-point gap on third-placed Arsenal. As for the visitors, they will have the chance to top the table this afternoon.
With Chelsea in Continental Cup final action tomorrow, Gareth Taylor’s side can go three points clear of the reigning champions. However, Liverpool have been known to cause an upset in this league - could they do it again today?
Kick-off is at 12:30pm GMT - don’t miss it!
