Women's Super League

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Assistant manager Scott Rodgers said "it's been nothing but positive" for Liverpool since the winter break.

The Reds have only played once in January, beating Brighton 2-1 in their first game back.

But the return of injured players, plus new players added in the January transfer window have given the group a lift.

"It's added bodies to the group and made training more competitive," Rodgers said. "It's been nothing but positive for us since Christmas and long may that continue.

"It's been a really good week, really positive. The group are in good spirits. We needed that win. We said we wanted to get off to a good start in the second half of the season. Not only did we win the game but I thought the performance was really good as well."

Here are more key lines from Rodgers - who was speaking to the media instead of boss Matt Beard - before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Leicester (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

• On getting a first WSL win at St Helens Stadium, he said: "We always knew it was going to come".

• On being confident winning away from home after winning six and drawing two so far on the road: "With this group of plays we go into any game thinking we can get a result and we should do. Providing we apply ourselves right we are always going to be a match for anyone."

• He said Fuka Nagano showed once again she is "world class" and added: "She is unbelievable. She can unlock pictures, she can unlock defences and pick out passes."

• Sophie Roman Haug "isn't far away" and is in contention but will not be rushed back.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

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Aston Villa interim boss Shaun Goater says he won't overthink his tactics when facing former club Manchester City.

Goater spent five years as a player with City, and last season acted as an assistant to manager Gareth Taylor. On Sunday Villa will host City at Villa Park in the Women's Super League (kick-off 12:00 GMT).

"I look forward to this, the fact it's City adds a little more interest, but for the team and the players it's another game, a big and important game," Goater said.

"Gareth knows me, my thoughts and how I see the game, and likewise I know Gareth and know how he looks to play. But for me it's not a case of overthinking."

Goater has overseen three wins and one draw in all competitions since becoming interim manager in December following the dismissal of Robert de Pauw, and admitted he wanted the role on a permanent basis.

However, Natalia Arroyo will take permanent charge of the team following Saturday's game at Villa Park, with Goater returning to his role as attacking coach.

"They want to put on a good show with the new manager watching, they're in pretty good form so it's a chance for them to go out and express themselves," Goater said.

Here are the other key lines from Goater's news conference:

• Missy Bo Kearns and Lucy Staniforth will be out for 'another couple of weeks', while Rachel Corsie could be out longer after suffering a 'lapse' in her recovery from a knee injury.

• Goater said he has held brief conversations with Arroyo but match preparation has limited their contact

• The draw against Everton last weekend was frustrating and "felt like a loss" after conceding in the 89th minute.

• Goater warned that while City have not been at their best recently, they are a team that "has the quality to only need moments in games when they reach the top levels".

• When asked how he improved Villa, Goater said: "It was about getting confidence back in the team. Another thing was our build up, [we] need to have a good build up so we can arrive in the final third with the numbers to be able to have opportunities."

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West Ham goalkeeper Katelin Talbert has joined Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign.

The 26-year-old American has recently been on loan with Tottenham between September and December 2024.

The 26-year-old American is yet to make an appearance for West Ham since joining from Benfica in 2023.

Villa have been looking for a goalkeeper since New Zealand international Anna Leat left by mutual consent earlier this month and talks are ongoing with the two clubs.

Tottenham midfielder Elkie Bowyer has joined third-tier Ipswich Town on a dual registration agreement until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old spent the first half of the season on a dual registration with Watford, but returns to Ipswich having spent the second half of the 2023-24 campaign in Suffolk.

"I am really pleased to be returning here with this group of staff and players," she said.

"It was a shame my time here last season ended so suddenly due to injury, but I am delighted to be back and hope I can help contribute to a positive second half of the campaign."

Bowyer made eight appearances for Watford, scoring once.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has challenged his team to continue their ruthless form in front of goal when they face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

United punished the mistakes of local rivals Manchester City in a 4-2 victory at Etihad Stadium last week, converting four of five shots on target.

While City got revenge in the Women's League Cup on Wednesday, Skinner is confident his side's momentum won't be affected.

"It's really about taking chances," Skinner said, before facing a Brighton team who United were wasteful against during a 1-1 draw in October.

"We've got to be ruthless in this game, we might only get three or four chances and we've got to take them.

"When games come thick and fast we have the opportunity to put the last result right but also build on what we've done previously. I don't think we've lost momentum, it's about putting our prior performances into this game and getting a result."

Skinner's side will come up against former United striker Nikita Parris, who scored when the teams met in October.

"I've got nothing but respect for Nikita. She's a real threat. She's somebody that some of our players will have learned from while she was here. We have to make sure we are right on our game because she's in form, as are Brighton. I'm sure she'll be fired up."

Here are the other key lines from Skinner's news conference:

• Millie Turner and Melvine Malard were withdrawn on Wednesday with "niggles" but Skinner expects them to be available on Sunday.

• Geyse remains unavailable while on compassionate leave, but could return for the trip to Tottenham on Sunday, 2 February.

• Skinner said that while United want to compete for titles and play in the Champions League, all they can do right now is "focus on trying to get points and bank them."

• The United boss is open to signings before the transfer window closes but is happy with his squad.

• On how to beat Brighton: "Brighton are very good with the ball, they'll lull you into traps and then spring them. They can invade with the forward line they've got in. From last time we learned about adapting the press, make sure we disjoint that build up. If we get our counter-press right then we can disrupt all of their shape.

• United are working on a loan move for goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel.

• Skinner said he understands fan criticism but that "in the WSL we've got 10 games, and we need the fans in every one of those games, they're going to be huge. We know we can rely on them."

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Leicester midfielder Emilia Pelgander has joined Swedish side FC Rosengard on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 20-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Women's Super League side since joining from KIF Orebro in January 2024.

She returns to her native Sweden to play in the top-flight.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Leicester City are interested in signing Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark from FC Twente this month.

Clark, a regular starter for her country, was on the bench as FC Twente beat AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch league on Wednesday.

Should a deal be struck, it is likely to be a loan move with Clark agreeing terms on a two-year contract when she joined FC Twente from Bristol City in August.

The 23-year-old, who is preparing to represent Wales in their first major tournament at Euro 2025, would be seen as a replacement for goalkeeper Lize Kop, who left Leicester to join Tottenham last week.

Manager Amandine Miquel said in her media conference on Thursday that Leicester were "close" to signing a goalkeeper in the January transfer window.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

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Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor is hopeful of having some players back for Saturday's Women's Super League trip to Aston Villa.

Top scorer Khadija Shaw has missed City's last six matches through injury but was among those training ahead of the trip to Villa Park (12:00 GMT kick-off).

Netherlands international Vivianne Miedema and English defender Naomi Layzell were among those also training, with the trio missing Wednesday's 2-1 League Cup quarter-final win over Manchester United.

"We had a small training group out on the pitch [today]," said City boss Taylor.

"That included Bunny Shaw, which is good. Viv was there, Naomi Layzell as well.

"It's potentially looking like we could be a little bit stronger, certainly from the sidelines, for the weekend."

On recent signings Aemu Oyama and Kerolin, Taylor added that the duo are improving their workload in training.

Here are more key lines from Taylor's news conference:

• On goalkeeper Khiara Keating, Taylor said she was okay "but a little bit shook up" after limping off during City's 2-1 win over United.

• With title-chasing rivals Chelsea and Arsenal facing each other this weekend, Taylor said "we have to" pick up points to put pressure on those sides, especially when they are against each other.

• On recruitment, Taylor said he is still looking to bolster the squad before the transfer window closes.

• This weekend's match will see Taylor face former Man City team-mate Shaun Goater, who is in caretaker charge of Villa. Taylor is looking forward to seeing Goater, who he feels has done a good job as Villa's caretaker manager and has set them up in a similar way to Taylor's style with City.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

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Crystal Palace head coach Laura Kaminski believes the recent signings of Canadian forward Clarissa Larisey and Finnish forward Ria Oling will add value to her squad.

Palace have signed the duo in the past week, with Larisey, 25 and Oling, 30, arriving from Swedish sides Hacken and Rosenborg respectively.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's Women's Super League match at home to Tottenham (14:00 GMT kick-off) where both could make their debuts, Kaminski spoke highly of the duo.

"They're different players in the sense that they offer different attributes," Kaminski told BBC Sport. "Both players are going to add a lot of value to the squad and really support the squad depth now as we move into the second half of the season.

"Clarissa is a very quick threat and has proved that in terms of goals and being a real threat in behind. Ria has also been adding value in terms of off the pitch, on the pitch as both players will do, but Ria will offer a little bit of security as well as [being] a fantastic ball carrier.

"I'm very pleased with both of them and both have been settling in and gelling with the squad, which is nice."

Here are more key lines from Kaminski's news conference:

• On Larisey and Oling, Kaminski said she has to be "careful" in terms of their integration into the team and does not want to rush it at risk of both players' welfare.

• Speaking about the team's character after last Sunday's 5-0 defeat to Arsenal, Kaminski has said she's seen her players showing the ability to cope with the challenges they have faced throughout the campaign, rather than just talking about it.

• She said it has been "difficult" for members of Palace's promotion-winning squad to adapt their mentality having been used to winning games for most of last season.

• Kaminski says she expects a "reset" Tottenham side to come up against Palace from the team that were beaten 2-1 in the League Cup by West Ham.

• Welsh forward Elise Hughes returned to training last week. Kaminski said she is "a great character" and is "coping well", but admits she is understandably behind the rest of the squad while she gets back to full fitness.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Leicester City manager Amandine Miquel believes there is no pressure on the club's young players to perform despite a difficult season so far.

The Foxes, who face Liverpool on Sunday, sit just a point above the relegation spot with one win from their first 11 matches in the Women's Super League.

A number of injuries to senior players means Miquel has turned to youth to get them through the season.

"I don't see pressure when I see them play. I see a lot of will to do well and to do their best," said Miquel.

"We are halfway through the WSL and maybe if there are two games left and we are in the same position then there will be more pressure.

"But right now, we try to make sure pressure is not on any player."

Miquel says the club know they can "count on them" and they have learned a lot from the challenges of this season.

"No matter the age, we can count on them. Maybe if we have less injured players, they have less minutes, but they are making the most out of it," she added.

"They have done very well. I think the mentality and the quality is there. We have to rely on them and not hesitate when we need them."

Here are more key lines from her media conference:

• Leicester are "close" to signing a goalkeeper to replace Lize Kop, who departed for Tottenham this month.

• Miquel said bringing in a forward during the transfer window would "definitely help" bring more "positivity" but she is "not scared" if they don't sign one.

• She says the young players have developed despite being asked to play in different positions to cover injuries.

• Miquel hopes fans remain patient as they continue to work on their long-term goals but understands they need to deliver results soon.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Women's Championship club Southampton are set to sign young Aston Villa forward Georgia Mullett on loan in the January transfer window.

Mullett, 19, signed her first professional contract with Villa in September 2023 and has gone on to make eight appearances for the club.

The England youth international extended her contract with Villa in October 2024 after impressing in her first senior season.

She would become the fourth loan signing at Southampton after they brought in Arsenal's Vivienne Lia, Tottenham's Araya Dennis and Birmingham City's Siobhan Wilson this month.

Elsewhere in the second tier, London City Lionesses are set to sign Japan international Saki Kumagai and are still looking to bring in Arsenal's Freya Godfrey on loan.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

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Everton manager Brian Sorensen says new signing Kelly Gago will cause problems for all defenders in the Women's Super League.

French forward Gago, 26, made her debut for the Toffees as a substitute in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa after signing from Nantes last month.

Speaking on Gago's impressive cameo ahead of Sunday's WSL trip to West Ham (15:00 kick-off), Sorensen heaped praise on her new signing and tipped her to be a challenge for opponents up and down the division.

"She's going to be a hard one for every defender in the league I think," said Sorensen.

"She has that physicality and speed at the same time, it's a rare thing to find actually. She's impressed me with her technical ability, I think that from the research I was doing on her, that was the area that I thought was lacking but having her in here with the others, in tight spaces she's quite good.

"For her, it's just about learning, connecting with team-mates and understanding what we want when we defend, but also when we attack.

"I think she's going to give defenders a headache for sure."

Here are more key lines from Sorensen's news conference:

• On team news, Sorensen said that defender Elise Stenevik is back training after four months out injured. Midfielder Karen Holmgaard is also making progress after missing the duration of the season so far.

• Sorensen said he is happy with the squad in terms of recruitment but has not ruled adding further signings before the window closes.

• The Everton boss says he expects a tough game away at West Ham this weekend, with the Hammers knocking Tottenham out of the Women's League Cup on Wednesday night.

• On the prospect of moving eight points clear of the relegation zone with a win on Sunday, Sorensen said his focus remains on getting the win, regardless of league position and the opponent.

• Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan could make her 50th WSL appearance for Everton on Sunday. Sorensen has said she is one of "the best goalkeepers in the league."

Image source, Reuters

Manchester City's teenage forward Lily Murphy says it was "a dream come true" to score the winning goal against Manchester United in the League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old, making her second start for the club, scored and provided an assist as she stole the show in her side's 2-1 win at Leigh Sports Village.

"It's a dream come true," she told BBC Radio Manchester. "You dream of these moments and to win the game as well tops it off completely.

"Coming up through the academy makes it even more special."

City manager Gareth Taylor, who has seen his side hit by a number of injuries to attacking players including Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema this season, was impressed with how Murphy took her opportunity.

"We're probably pushing her a bit more than we'd like to at this moment due to some of the injuries we've had but fair play to her, she's stepped up and done really well," he said.

"She's got a lot to improve on, she's really, really raw. But she has things like that pace, that finishing ability, to go on and have a really good career.

"She's really grounded, she's really humble, she's still learning."

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Crystal Palace have signed Finland midfielder Ria Oling from FC Rosengard.

The 30-year-old, who has 85 caps for her country, has signed a deal until June 2027.

Oling played mainly in Scandinavia and has over 100 appearances in the Sweden's top-flight with clubs Vaxja DFF and FC Rosengard.

The midfielder was also in the Finland squad that won the 2023 Cyprus Women's Cup.

"It's really exciting [to be here]," Oling said. "It's a really competitive league with good players and good teams. I feel like every game is going to be tough, so I'm looking forward to that."

Crystal Palace Head coach Laura Kaminski said: "Ria brings invaluable experience to the side, and we are delighted to have her here at Palace."

Crystal Palace are currently bottom of the WSL table, on five points.

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Brighton have appointed Rado Vidosic has been as women's and girls' head of coaching.

The 63-year-old - who is women's head coach Dario Vidosic's father - arrives at the club after six years at Melbourne City.

Rado worked as Melbourne City's academy technical director before taking on the role of women's head coach. He then managed the men's team and won the title with them.

He has previous managerial experience in Australia with Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, and Wellington Phoenix.

"This is an unbelievable opportunity and one that I'm really looking forward to," he said. "I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and help as much as I can.

"I'm so proud of what Dario and the wider coaching team have achieved so far, I'm here to provide guidance and help where I can."

Head coach Dario added, "We're really excited to welcome Rado to the coaching staff at Brighton.

"We've worked together previously at Melbourne City, and clearly he has had a huge influence on my career. I know first-hand the qualities he possesses which can help get the very best out of the players.

"He is a talented coach with a great depth of knowledge of the game and I have no doubt he will be incredibly influential in our aspirations to be successful for the remainder of the season and beyond."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Chelsea have agreed terms to sign USA defender Naomi Girma in a world record deal for a female footballer and it is the most significant of manager Sonia Bompastor’s tenure so far.

The 24-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best footballers in the world and is heading to Chelsea hoping to deliver more silverware.

Chelsea have won five WSL titles in a row but the Women’s Champions League crown has alluded them. It is the reason they appointed Bompastor as Emma Hayes’ successor following her success with Lyon in Europe.

It was French giants Lyon who posed the biggest threat in Chelsea’s move for Girma, so it is a real coup for the Blues to have held them off and they needed a world record fee of £900,000 to do so.

Girma adds quality and experience to a strong defensive unit at Chelsea. She also covers the loss of centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan, who is currently out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

With Girma‘s arrival, Chelsea will be considered strong contenders for the Champions League, as well as favourites to win a sixth successive league title.