Manchester City manager Nick Cushing says qualifying for the Women's Champions League is about "the status of the team".

"I suppose there is a knock-on effect [of not getting into the Champions League] which goes far beyond my remit, such as recruitment and retention," said interim manager Cushing.

"But for me, it's about the status of our team. We have worked hard over the last 10-15 years to make sure our football club is at the level that I expect of a Manchester City team.

"Not being in contention [to win] the Champions League is really disappointing and something that is beyond our thinking.

"It's still possible so we have to attack it and make sure we do everything possible to get there. The implications beyond? Who knows. I believe we will get it."

Cushing admits he is "disappointed" he has not been able to deliver more consistency in his short interim spell in charge.

"It is about making sure this team is consistently competing for trophies," he added.

"Now it's a Manchester derby at Old Trafford - I've never done a game at Old Trafford - so for me personally it's an exciting one.

"But the focus is on what we can deliver to try to get into the Champions League."

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The stage is set for the Merseyside derby.

A week ago, Liverpool's men's team wrapped up the Premier League title here with a 5-1 win over Tottenham.

Liverpool's women will be hoping for some of that same feel-good factor to get one over on their city rivals Everton today.

However, it was the Toffees who left Anfield with all three points in last season’s derby.

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While the title has been wrapped up in the WSL, everything is to play for in the Championship as the two sides in with a shot of claiming the promotion place face off at St Andrews.

If Birmingham City win, they return to the WSL after a three-year absence. But current leaders London City Lionesses need only a draw to reach the top flight for the first time in their history.

It's a tough one to call - London City are currently on a 10 match unbeaten run, however Birmingham have won the last three meetings between the sides.

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Amber Whiteley as named an unchanged Liverpool side after last week's draw at home to Tottenham.

Veteran defender Gemma Bonner is in line to make her 10th Women's Super League Merseyside derby appearance in the middle of the back line.

Liverpool XI: Laws, Clark, Fisk, Bonner, Hinds (c), Kerr, Nagano, Höbinger, Holland, Smith, Roman H.

Subs: Micah, Kirby, Evans, Fahey, Matthews, Kapocs, Enderby, Bartel, Daniels.

Everton boss Brian Sorensen makes just the one change after his side’s stoppage time defeat at home to Brighton last time out.

Forward Kelly Gago is back and returns to the front line in place of Toni Payne who is on the bench.

Midfielder Aurora Galli is back in the matchday squad for the first time since September 2024 after recovering from the ACL injury that she sustained on the opening day of the season.

Everton XI: Brosnan, K Holmgaard, Fernandez, Stenevik, S. Holmgaard, Hayashi, Wheeler (c), Vanhaevermaet, Snoejis, Gago, Olesen.

Subs: Ramsey, Hobson, T. Payne, Watson, Sarri, Galli, Weir, Madsen, Thomas.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Old Trafford

There are two changes to the Manchester United side from their narrow 1-0 defeat by WSL champions Chelsea.

Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland return to the starting XI after being rotated on Wednesday.

Melvine Malard and Dominique Janssen drop to the bench.

Manchester United XI: Tullis-Joyce, George, Le Tissier, Toone, Clinton, Galton, Riviere, Bizet, Terland, Miyazawa, Turner.

Subs: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, Mannion, Sandberg, Awujo, Janssen, Naalsund, Griffiths, Malard.

Manchester City interim manager Nick Cushing has made two changes to the side who beat Leicester City in their last match.

They are significant as it's a first start for both England internationals Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood since their return from injuries.

Lily Murphy and Rebecca Knaak are the ones to drop out.

Manchester City XI: Keating, Casparij, Prior, Greenwood, Ouahabi, Aleixandri, Hasegawa, Coombs, Park, Kerolin, Hemp.

Subs: Yamashita, Layzell, Roord, Wienroither, Blindkilde-Brown, Fujino, Knaak, Oyama, Murphy.

Let's get into some team news...

And here's what's going on during the final day of the Women's Championship...

• Sunderland v Sheffield Utd (14:00 BST)
• Southampton v Charlton (14:00 BST)
• Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle (14:00 BST)
• Durham v Bristol City (14:00 BST)
• Birmingham City v London City Lionesses (14:15 BST)

Here's what's coming up today...

• Liverpool v Everton (12:00)
• Man Utd v Man City (12:00)
• Crystal Palace v Leicester (14:00)
• Tottenham v Chelsea (14:15)
• West Ham v Aston Villa (15:00)

There's really only one thing left to decide in the Women's Super League and that is who will occupy the third Champions League spot.

Will it be Manchester United? Or Manchester City? A crucial derby match today could be the decider.

Plus we'll find out who will be joining the top-flight next season as the Women's Championship concludes.

The Women's Super League title has been won...

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The relegation battle is long since concluded...

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But there's a Champions League place left to decide and what better way to do that than a derby day.

Image source, Getty Images