Women's Super League

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Chelsea are "hoping" club record signing Alyssa Thompson will be able to play in their Women's Super League game against Aston Villa on Sunday (12:00 BST).

Speaking in her pre-match news conference, manager Sonia Bompastor also said Australia striker Sam Kerr is "ready" to play for the club following her 20-month absence with an anterior cruciate ligament njury.

Thompson, 20, was seen with a cast on her arm during her Chelsea unveiling following her arrival on deadline day for just under £1m, although she has previously played in the United States with a cast on.

"We are hoping for her to be able to play, we don't have the confirmation yet but we are hoping for her to be able to play," said Bompastor.

"My staff are in charge and they are trying to bring as much clarity as we can on the situation and they will be updating me as quick as we can."

On Kerr's chances of featuring at the weekend, Bompastor added: "It was only my choice not to have Sam in the game last weekend. She had a good week.

"She is in a good place mentally and physically. Maybe on Sunday we will see. She's doing everything she can to be available for the squad, available to start a game."

Here are the other key lines from her news conference:

• Defender Naomi Girma remains sidelined with an injury

• Midfielder Erin Cuthbert had a "little knock" but will be able to play

• Aston Villa are "well organised" and "can hurt" teams in transitions

• Chelsea's ability to be unpredictable with their formation is "important"

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

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Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor says he doesnt think his side "deserved" their 4-1 defeat by Everton in their opening Women's Super League game of the season.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference before Sunday's match at Leicester (12:00 BST), he said he felt the scoreline was "harsh."

"You don't always get what you maybe deserve," said Taylor. "I'm not saying we really deserved to win that game but I don't think we deserved what we got. I think we'll play worse in the future than we did in the first half and win the game."

He added that there were many "positives" to take from his side's display - especially in the early stages of the game.

The Liverpool boss added: "I felt there was something to grab hold of in that first 40 minutes performance. Dominated the game, really controlled the game in the manner I felt was deserving. I felt the scoreline was harsh on us, particularly when you look into the statistics.

"I think there's a lot of positives there. They are a really honest bunch of players and it's really exciting because the buy in from then has been on top. It's always about seeing signs of what you want to see in the future. Hopefully our supporters could see lots to be excited about."

Here are the other key lines from his news conference:

• Sofie Lundgaard is back in contention to make an appearance

• Goalkeeper Rachael Laws is at the next stage of her recovery but not ready to return yet

• Rafaella Borgraffe is back training with the team but Faye Kirby remain the number one

• Sophie Roman Haug and Risa Shimizu are both closer to full fitness

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Leicester will be aware of the threats but "play with no fear" when they take on Liverpool in the Women's Super League on Sunday, says interim boss Rick Passmoor.

The Foxes were beaten 4-0 by Manchester United in their first WSL game of the season, while Liverpool, who also have a new manager in former Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor, lost 4-1 against Everton.

"If you look at parts of the Everton game, they caused problems and had pace on the front line," he said in his pre-match news conference.

"We've got to be aware of their threats. We're going to respect everything every week but play with no fear."

He added that both teams are still in a phase of transition and will be trying to "implement their style and philosophy."

"Teams are still learning and players are still working off triggers and each others' behaviours," said Passmoor. "You'll see passion from two teams but both clubs have got great support. We're looking after our players and supporters to make sure they leave happy with what they've seen on the pitch."

Here are the other key lines from his news conference:

• Forward Missy Goodwin is still working towards recovering from injury

• Forward Denny Draper has a knee injury and the club are "not putting any timeframes" on her recovery

• Striker Jutta Rantala "will be available" against Liverpool

• Summer signing, forward, Noemi Mouchon, is "still with the medical team" and unavailable.

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Head coach Brian Sorensen praised new signing Ornella Vignola for her "perfect start" in an Everton shirt.

The 20-year-old scored a hat-trick on debut at Anfield in the Merseyside derby as Everton kickstarted their season with a 4-1 win.

One of nine additions to Everton's squad over the summer, Sorensen said he is happy to have a selection "headache every weekend".

"We need to be patient and see how she's going to learn the league, how defenders are, and grow into it, [but] it was a perfect start for her," Sorensen said.

"One of the reasons I started her is because I saw her in training – she's sharp, she's good. Also, Toni [Payne] and Kelly [Gago] came in later [from international duty], so they didn't have as many minutes behind them.

"We played with two strikers, and we have four very good strikers. I have a headache every weekend, which is good, but also means we can play different players that ask different questions."

Sunday's fixture against Tottenham is more than just the first home game of the season for Everton. It is their first game at Goodison Park since it became their permanent home.

But while Sorensen described the stadium as a "magic place" and said he and the players "can't get enough of being here", he's trying not to be overawed by the occasion.

"I'm just looking forward to after 90 minutes when it says, 'three points Everton'. Then I'm happy," he said.

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Arsenal manager Renee Slegers has indicated there is more to come from summer signing Olivia Smith, stating she sees "so much potential" in the Canadian forward.

The 21-year-old hit the headlines this summer following her high-profile £1m move from Liverpool.

Smith played down her transfer in pre-season, saying "the price tag's a price tag", but wasted little time in silencing any potential doubters, scoring a stunning long-range effort against London City Lionesses just 29 minutes into her Arsenal debut.

"I was already impressed before we signed her," Slegers said. "Coming from Canada, the USA, and Portugal, and one season in the WSL and making such an impact for Liverpool.

"I was really impressed with her and she adds new things to our game with the type of player she is. We're really happy with what she's bringing to us [but] she's also very young, so it's important that we support her really well.

"We see so much potential and she's already contributing a lot – you saw that last Saturday."

While acknowledging Smith is a "really good addition" for Arsenal, Slegers disagreed with the suggestion that she is the missing piece of the puzzle in helping the club close the gap to Chelsea, instead highlighting the quality and depth throughout the squad.

"What we want to do is build so many layers in our game that we can bring to a game whatever is asked of us. We're really close to that now," she said. "I'm happy with the squad and there's competition in all positions. We're going to need everyone as there's a lot of games to play this season."

Slegers also provided an update on Leah Williamson, who is expected to be out for several weeks due to a knee injury she suffered in the Euro 2025 final: "She's doing well. When you're rehabbing, you have to do what you can every single day and get one step closer to the pitch. She's positive and working hard."