Team news: United Women v Liverpool

Eva Olid says Manchester United Women have come through a busy week unscathed ahead of Saturday's Barclays Women's Super League meeting with Liverpool.

Olid's Reds registered a first win of the WSL season against West Ham last Sunday and have since built on the momentum gained from that 2-1 victory, by beating Durham 5-1 in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday night.

A third game in seven days comes around at 13:30 BST on Saturday, with United looking to pick up three more points in the league before focus turns to October's two-week international break.

Ahead of Liverpool's visit to Leigh, Eva reported no fresh injuries to the media, during her pre-match press conference at Carrington on Friday afternoon.

“Everyone is okay, fortunately,” the boss told reporters, via a video link. “Apart from the players that have longer injuries from previously. The rest is the same.”

Jayde Riviere and Emma Watson have been sidelined over recent weeks and Eva's update suggests both players still need some time to recover from their respective issues.

Celin Bizet Donnum is expected back soon after returning from maternity leave, but there is no suggestion the Norwegian winger will make her comeback against Liverpool.

Fridolina Rolfo, who scored in the corresponding fixture against the Merseysiders last term, is expecting a baby of her own and hasn't played this season.

Press conference: United Women v Liverpool

Press conference: United Women v Liverpool

YOUNG REDS BEEN SO POSITIVE

Could some of United's young players, who have particularly shone in the recent Subway Players Cup matches against Sheffield United and Durham, feature as we return to league action against Liverpool?

Eva is proud of the impact her youngsters have made over recent weeks and says they have to keep working now, as the opportunities for them to keep making an impact will be there if they do.

United finished Wednesday's win at Durham with six Academy graduates, all aged 21 or under, on the pitch. According to Opta, the average age of our side at the final whistle - 22 years and 112 days - was the youngest United Women XI to finish a match since the start of the 2021/22 season, which is when the stats guru's complete records go back to in this regard.

“I think we finished the match with six [Academy] players [on the pitch],” said Eva, at her media briefing. “That was so positive, they played really well.

“But I spoke with some of them, now is not just that they played those minutes and nothing else. It’s about keep working together, with individual plans, with individual sessions and they can keep improving. Those opportunities every time can be more, but we need to work together.

“But they have to be patient and the opportunities, if they are working hard and adapting to the game model, will come.”

Phallon: Bring on Battle of the Reds!

Phallon: Bring on Battle of the Reds!

LIVERPOOL'S TEAM NEWS

Mao Itamura, a summer signing from Feyenoord, could make her competitive debut for the visitors. The attacking midfielder has been out of action since undergoing minor abdominal surgery.

Head coach Gareth Taylor has ruled Lucy Parry, Sophie Roman Haug and Mari Ward out of Saturday's clash though.

Aurelie Csillag sustained a serious Achilles injury in Wednesday's Players Cup tie at Birmingham City and will now undergo a specialist review to determine the next steps in her recovery.

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

Tickets are available for the lunchtime encounter at the Progress With Unity Stadium, the 250th match in United Women's history.

If you're not able to join us in Leigh on what will be a milestone afternoon, you will be able to listen to live radio commentary of the 90 minutes on MUTV, ManUtd.com and the United App.

Our website and app will also have the team news an hour before kick-off, live match updates and reaction after the final whistle.

The game is being shown live in the UK on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the WSL's official YouTube channel.

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United Women v Liverpool on Saturday

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