Karen Carney
Former Chelsea midfielder on Sky Sports

This is about keeping the team in the WSL. They have put in the infrastructure but they need to stay in the league. That’s their only focus right now.

Arsenal are on the attack again and Frida Maanum slides a pass through the Liverpool defence, but it is excellent goalkeeping from Rachael Laws.

She sprints off her line and is out quickly and bravely to dive at the feet of Stina Blackstenius.

Seconds later Laws again is in action again quickly out, this time to deny Maanum. It's been all Arsenal.

Chelsea have only dropped points in two of their last 35 home WSL matches (won 33, drew one, lost one), although one of those was against Brighton in February 2021.

Brighton’s only WSL victory against Chelsea in eight previous meetings (drew two, lost five) was away from home in February 2021, ending a 14-game home winning run for Chelsea.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton interim boss Amy Merricks, speaking to Sky Sports: "My focus is on the team tonight and the game. We are taking it one day at a time. We had a really good session yesterday and we're really positive about today.

"We've come together really well as a group and we're optimistic. It makes it easier [being interim boss earlier in the season] because I have experience of dealing with the group. I was impressed how the players came together and handled that situation.

"In my experience, this team is capable of competing in this league."

The hosts nearly take the lead in the opening minute. It comes from a bright move down the left flank with Katie McCabe and Caitlin Foord linking up with Stina Blackstenius getting on the end of a cross and flicking a shot against the foot of the post.

If Arsenal were to not win today it would be the first time since May 2014 where they have gone four WSL matches without a victory. They have only picked up two points in their past three games.

However, Liverpool have a poor away record and have only collected five points in their past 15 away WSL games (won one, drew two and lost 12). In their last game on their travels, they were thrashed 6-0 by leaders Manchester United.

It's a miserable, snowy and cold night in Borehamwood and the game did survive a midday pitch inspection and away we go.

Arsenal have won their last seven Women’s Super League games against Liverpool, scoring 22 goals and conceding just three times.

Liverpool have only won three times against Arsenal in the WSL, although all them have been away from home - 4-0 in May 2013, 3-1 in July 2015 and 2-1 in July 2016.

Image source, Stephen McCarthy

Liverpool boss Matt Beard has confirmed Republic of Ireland's Leanne Kiernan faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.

The striker has not played since injuring her ankle in her side's win against Chelsea in September.

The 23-year-old underwent surgery and was expected to return in February, but Beard said she is still 10 weeks away from full fitness.

Ireland kick off their first World Cup campaign against Australia on 7 July. Kiernan has won 27 caps for her country and has been a regular in Vera Pauw's international squads.

Her injury ruled her out of the final three World Cup qualifying games, and she was forced to watch on as Ireland overcame Scotland in a play-off to reach the tournament for the first time.

The forward will now miss her country's April international camp, which will include two friendlies against the USA, as Beard revealed she has had some setbacks in her rehabilitation.

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, speaking to Sky Sports: "There is no denying we were completely out-performed at the weekend in every way, shape and form. The important thing is when you get another opportunity, like we have tonight, be prepared and ready for it.

"I think it's been a really good couple of day [on the training ground] for us. Getting everybody fresh to play three games in a week - we have to play again on Sunday - is a really tough turnaround. The emotional disappointment for us took its toll [on Sunday].

"I value the squad and I know the players [back in the team] have been training extremely hard in the background. I'm looking forward to seeing them perform."

This is how the WSL table looks. Chelsea will go second and above Manchester City with a draw or win tonight, while Arsenal will start and finish the day fourth no matter what happens.

Image source, .

Kelly Smith
Former England striker on Sky Sports

Chelsea need to be on the front foot in this game. They can’t afford to lose any ground in the league tonight.

Brighton have the worst defensive record in this season's WSL, conceding 39 goals in 11 matches. Only Bristol City in 2020-21 have a worse record at this stage of the season, conceding 49 in their first 11 games before they were relegated.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women’s manager Amy Merricks on taking the caretaker role for a second occasion after Jens Scheuer was dismissed earlier this week.

“From my previous experience, I have been able to witness how determined the players are and how much they pull together in a time like this.

“I am really optimistic about the following games. We’ve got a good group of people that will make sure we will get a performance [against Chelsea].

“I don’t think this is about me at all and nor should it be. It’s about the team, it’s about the club, it’s about looking towards the game. My full focus is on the game.

“It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours but my priority is with the team; making sure they are prepared and that we’re ready to go. It’s about everyone playing a part over the next few days to ensure we move in the right direction.”

Karen Carney
Former Chelsea midfielder on Sky Sports

Chelsea are always hard to beat. They were completely outclassed in the League Cup final. Tonight is about getting a clean sheet and the rest will come.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes expects to see a reaction tonight from her side after losing to Arsenal in the Continental League Cup final on Sunday

"You just want to go again," said Hayes.

"We have to be ready. We’re at home and the focus has to be back on the league. The team are disappointed, everyone is with the way we performed.

"I expect there will be a reaction from the group. That’s what I hold so dearly about the team that I know there will be a response.”

Asked if losing the final provides more hunger, Hayes replied: "I hope so. That’s what winning is. We have won the vast majority of titles over the last four years.

"I don’t think winning everything all the time is a normal thing. The better team won on Sunday but it’s just a game.”

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have lost nine of their last 10 away WSL matches in London, losing the last five in a row. Their one win in this run came at West Ham in October 2018.

Reds boss Matt Beard has lost 13 of his 15 WSL games against Arsenal (won one, drew one).

This is Liverpool's first game since a 1-0 home loss to Leicester on 12 February and Reds manager Matt Beard said: “You want to get your players back from international duty fit and healthy. We had an in-house game on Saturday to get minutes into everyone’s legs.

"We have had a bit of a stop-start return after the Christmas break. It’s frustrating because we had started to find a little bit of form and consistency. You go without a game for eight weeks then seven games in three weeks then not a game for a month so it’s super frustrating.

"We’ve tried to do as much as we can to keep the girls match fit and they work hard in training. It’s just the way the schedule has fallen for us unfortunately.

"Arsenal have turned a tough period around for them. They have had an up and down period themselves but they fully deserved to win the game on Sunday. We’re just looking forward to playing again. They will be on a high from Sunday."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has urged his side to move on from their Continental Cup victory and focus on the Women’s Super League title battle.

The Gunners return to league action against Liverpool three days on from beating Chelsea to lift their first trophy in almost four years. However, in the league Arsenal are winless in three and have slipped to fourth, nine points behind leaders Manchester United with two games in hand.

And Eidevall has called for focus as Arsenal switch attention back to the four-team fight for the three Champions League places.

He said: “I think winning is fleeting. It’s a very fleeting moment. Because you’ve chased something for so long and the final whistle goes and you win, those seconds are a very fleeting moment but it stays with you forever.

“After that – and this is also sometimes not one of my strengths – I don’t stay in the past very long because I don’t think that is a great sign if you want to have success in the future.

“So I know my job is to get the team focused for the next match.”

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Hayes reacts to Sunday's Continental League Cup final defeat to Arsenal by making seven changes to her Chelsea side.

Zecira Musovic, Jess Carter, Melanie Leupolz, Jessie Fleming, Maren Mjelde, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Kadeisha Buchanan are among the starters.

Ann-Katrin Berger, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert are among those who drop out.

Chelsea XI: Musovic, Carter, Bright, Mjelde, Buchanan, Cankovic, Fleming, Rytting Kaneryd, Reiten, Kerr, Leupolz.

Subs: Berger, Ingle, Perisset, Eriksson, Abdullina, Charles, Claypole, James.

Managerless Brighton are in Women's Super League action for the first time since 12 February. There are four changes to the side that started the 6-2 home defeat to Aston Villa.

Poppy Pattinson, Victoria Williams, Brianna Visalli and Elisabeth Terland are among the starters.

Brighton XI: L Williams, Pattinson, V Williams, Morse, Connolly, Zigiotti Olme, Kullberg, Terland, Visalli, Lee, Robinson.

Subs: Walsh, Startup, Bergsvand, Bance, Jarvis, Park, Sarri, Carter.