Leicester City manager Willie Kirk will not be on the touchline for Saturday's Women's FA Cup quarter-final at Liverpool because he is "assisting the club with an internal process".

Kirk, 45, joined the Women's Super League club in the summer of 2022, initially as a director of football before succeeding Lydia Bedford as boss that November.

"Willie Kirk is assisting the club with an internal process, the outcomes of which will be determined in due course," said a club spokesperson.

"Assistant manager Jennifer Foster and first-team coach Stephen Kirby will take charge of the team for Saturday's Women's FA Cup tie at Liverpool."

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Beard make two changes to the Liverpool team that claimed an impressive win away to Aston Villa last weekend.

Centre-back Gemma Bonner drops to the bench while midfielder Fuka Nagano - who has a hamstring problem - is not included in the squad, with Jenna Clark and Missy Bo Kearns taking their places in the side.

Liverpool XI: Laws; Clark, Fahey, Fisk; Koivisto, Matthews, Lundgaard, Kearns, Hobinger; Enderby, Roman-Haug.

Subs: Micah, Bonner, Parry, Daniels, Lawley, Kiernan, van de Sanden.

Image source, BBC Sport

Assistant manager Jennifer Foster and First Team Coach Stephen Kirby have also opted to make two changes to the Leicester City team that fell to a heavy home defeat to Chelsea last week.

Midfielders Josie Green and Nicole Momiki drop out and are replaced by Sophie Howard and Emilia Pelgander.

Leicester XI: Kop; Nevin, Tierney, Bott, Howard; Rantala, Whelan, Cayman, Takarada, Thibaud, Pelgander.

Subs: Leitzig, Ale, Green, Palmer, Momiki, Siemsen, Goodwin, Petermann, Baker.

Image source, BBC Sport

Good morning.

The Women's FA Cup is back this weekend and we kick off the quarter-final ties at Prenton Park as Liverpool host Leicester City.

Liverpool have been the surprise package in the Women's Super League this season, currently sitting in fifth place level on points with Manchester United.

Matt Beard's side will be hoping to take their current rich vein of form into the FA Cup, as they look to finish a fifth consecutive game unbeaten in all competitions.

Leicester have experienced contrasting fortunes to their upcoming opponents, having struggled for consistency throughout the 2023-24 campaign.

This weekend's FA Cup tie offers some relief from their indifferent league form and a chance to reach the competition's semi-finals for the first time.

Image source, Getty Images