Everton v Manchester United: Women’s Super League – live!

United counter quickly, one tremendous pass from Blundell sending Russo away. She makes great ground then finds Thomas, who dips inside George and feeds Russo back; she tees up Toone who, from the edge of the box, opens her body to punch a gorgeous finish inside the post, halfway up.

10 min Better from Everton, Emslie running at Batile then easing infield and flipping a terrific cross aimed for Duggan, but Mannion is up to clear.

8 min A bit of possession for Everton, but United have their measure at the moment, easily taking it back and moving it quickly through midfield. Toone looks to be in control of that area – she finds space so well.

7 min And here’s Thomas down the right, skipping around Turner and crossing low but to no one, then when United regain possession, Boe Risa drags a low shot just wide form outside the box.

6 min I’m a little surprised it’s Russo on the flank – she’s playing so well at the moment, I’d not want to change her, but would want her involved as often as possible.

5 min Everton look to play out from the back, but United press – words that look strange written down – so George heaves down the line. Duggan wins the flick-on, but there’s no one running in behind, and United clear up easily enough.

4 min United prompt again down the right, Batile finding Russo … who’s gone too early, straying offside.

3 min But here come United again, Thomas – who’s playing through the middle today, with Russo on the right – crossing low, but no one is there to finish. This is a good start from United.

2 min United quickly win a free-kick down the right when Thomas is fouled, but Zelem drills the free-kick at the nearest defender.

1 min Pre-match, they played Grand Old Team, the Everton anthem. I wonder why they’ve not replaced “Everton boys” in the lyrics with something more appropriate.

The teams take a knee. All black lives matter.

The teams have laid wreaths and the last post is now being played, after which there’ll be a minute’s silence.

It’s nice and sunny in Liverpool, which is more than can be said for north London. It looks a lovely day for football.

I missed this in the week, but apparently the return fixture will be at Old Trafford, which is great to hear. United took a decent contingent to Spurs last weekend, and Manchester’s appetite for football means that crowds should steadily increase.

United, though, have been poor at the back this season, conceding 10 times in six league games. They’ve got plenty of attacking threat – Russo, in particular, is a player – and I fancy them to find a way today.

I’m also interested to see how Toni Duggan gets on today. I totally get why Everton re-signed her, but can’t help but wonder if the game has passed her by a little. Obviously she can still play, but I’d be trepidatious about relying on her to score as many goals as Everton are probably hoping she’ll get.

In the studio, Stephen Warnock says he wants to see players running in behind, not just coming short for the ball, and Karen Carney identifies Emslie as the player Everton need to create for them. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Gauvin does making her first league start of the season – hopefully she’s fully fit.

Anyhow, Vesseur tells Sky that he’s looking for his best team and formation, but won’t know until after the game whether he’s made the right call.

Marc Skinner, meanwhile, says he’s brought in Thomas as she has a really good forward’s instinct in the box – he’s got wonderful creators, but wants someone to finish off the chances they create. He also likes Boe Risa’s midfield passing, and plans to build an attractive, sustainable, winning team who represent the fans and the city of Manchester.

There should be a really good level of desperation about this game because neither side can afford a defeat. There should be plenty of needle too.

As for United, Ladd and Hanson drop out – the former is, I think, injured as she’s not on the bench – with Boa Rise and Thomas coming in, the latter making her first start of the season.

As you’d expect, Vasseur makes changes as he gets to know his squad. At the back, Bjorn is replaced by Maier; in midfield, Graham comes in for Galli, while Bennison also drops out; and up front, Anvegard loses her place to Gauvin, while Emslie also plays.

Everton (4-3-3): MacIver; Sevecke, Maier, George, Turner; Christiansen, Dali, Graham; Gauvin, Duggan, Emslie. Subs: Brosnan, Magill, Finnigan, Clinton, Bennison, Pattinson.

Man United (4-2-3-1): Earps; Batile, Mannion, Thorisdottir, Blundell; Zelem, Boe Risa; Thomas, Toone, Galton; Russo. Subs: Baggaley, Fuso, Hanson, Smith, Jones, Stanniforth.

Hello and welcome to Women’s Football Weekend! It’s been a tricky start to the season for United, who made such huge strides during the last under the brilliant Casey Stoney. Sadly for all concerned, though, the club did not give her or her team the support they and the women’s game in general deserve, so rather than pushing for the title, which looked possible a year ago, they’re fighting to convince themselves a Champions League spot is within their ambit.

And if all that wasn’t enough, this time last week they looked to have held out for a crucial away win at third-placed Spurs, only to concede a 95th-minute equaliser, the kind of week-ruiner that can be hard to shake off. We shall see.

Everton, meanwhile, fancied themselves a top-three finish after adding Toni Duggan to a squad that already boasted a decent array of attacking talent. But they’ve made a miserable start to that bid, enduring bad beatings from Manchester City – twice – Chelsea and Arsenal, so changed manager, replacing Willie Kirk with Jean-Luc Vasseur. But the start he made was an inauspicious one and weekend’s home defeat to Brighton will have stung badly, meaning they, like United, are desperate for a result this afternoon.

Kick-off: 12.30pm GMT