- Liverpool (W) are unbeaten in their last three games but haven’t won on the road in the league in 2025/26, losing seven of nine.
- Everton (W) have won three and lost two of their last five matches, including a solid win at Tottenham (W) and a close defeat at Manchester United (W).
- In the last three head-to-head meetings between the Merseyside clubs, Everton (W) have won twice and Liverpool (W) once.
Phelan’s Possession Plan
Scott Phelan has had a tough job since taking over as Everton (W) boss recently, but he has instilled some renewed confidence and defensive stability in the Blues. They have a mixed recent form of three wins and two defeats from their last five, but they come into this Merseyside derby off the back of a good result at Tottenham (W).
Phelan sets his team up to be compact and disciplined, usually in a 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 system, which they utilise to stifle their opponents and create chances for their pacy wingers and midfield runners. Everton (W) are the 6th placed side in the Super League Women 2025-2026 table with 20 points from 18 matches, while Liverpool (W) sit 10th with 14 points.
Honoka Hayashi leads the way as top scorer for Everton (W) with four league goals from 16 appearances, and she needs to fire the team to success in this derby. Inma Gabarro has chipped in with two goals in the Blues’ last five, providing a key contribution to their forward line.
Gareth Taylor’s Game Plan
Gareth Taylor has certainly brought a sense of tempo and urgency to Liverpool (W)’s style of play, and the result is a team who play a much more high-pressing, proactive brand of football than any in the WSL. Liverpool (W) play either a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-2-3-1 system, and are incredibly aggressive, attempting to force turnovers and attack on the break whenever possible.
Taylor’s tactics have borne fruit in their recent run of three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five Super League Women 2025-2026 matches, although their most recent result was a goalless draw at Brighton (W). In the previous match, they beat Leicester (W) 2-0 at home. Beata Olsson is the only player to provide any sort of attacking consistency for Liverpool (W), with six goals from 12 Super League Women appearances.
Derby Day
The history between these two Merseyside clubs only adds to the tension on derby day, and while Liverpool (W) came out on top in their most recent meeting, a 2-1 win in the FA Cup Women 2025/2026, Liverpool (W) have never won away to Everton (W) and Everton (W) have won two of the last three. Backing Everton (W) to do it again at 97/50 is a solid selection, while Under 2.5 goals at 17/20 is a decent play in this game, as two defensive sides with different philosophies match up.
Liverpool (W) have only scored five goals in their nine away games in the Super League Women 2025/2026, while Everton (W) have won only two of their eight home league fixtures, conceding 1.88 goals per game. I think Everton (W) will get the better of Liverpool (W) in this clash, but I expect a tense affair.
