Liverpool vs Sunderland League Cup preview, prediction and team news

24th September 2025 Oliver Taliku

Ahead of Liverpool vs Sunderland on Wednesday night, read our preview, prediction and the latest team news ahead of the Women’s League Cup first matchday.

Liverpool vs Sunderland match information

  • ⚽️ Women’s League Cup matchday 1
  • 🏟️ Totally Wicked Stadium 
  • ⏱️ Wednesday, September 24th: 19:00pm (BST)

Liverpool vs Sunderland preview

Wednesday night’s clash between Liverpool and Sunderland is sure to be an emotional one following the passing of former Reds manager Matt Beard.

This will be the first game the hosts have played since his tragic loss. Liverpool’s WSL match against Aston Villa was postponed at the weekend following the announcement.

As a result of their weekend off, Liverpool haven’t played since losing to Leicester nearly two weeks ago.

Gareth Taylor’s team will be desperate to get back on track and the League Cup represents a great opportunity to bounce back immediately on what is set to be an emotional evening.

Sunderland on the other hand couldn’t have asked for a much better start to their campaign in the Championship.

The lasses have won two of their three league games so far with the only dropped points coming in a draw against promotion rivals Birmingham.

Sunderland will be full of confidence coming into Wednesday’s game having just edged past local rivals Durham last time out in the River Wear derby. 

Liverpool vs Sunderland Team news

Both teams can be expected to make plenty of changes for this cup clash.

Liverpool goalkeeper and summer signing, Rafaella Borgraffe, is still being investigated by the FA over an alleged racist remark she made and is expected to be absent again.

Faye Kirby has been standing in for Borgraffe and is expected to deputise once again on Wednesday.

As for Sunderland, the visitors could still field a strong lineup away from home as they look to get a quick start in the cup.

Ellen Jones, Niyah Bernette Dunbar and Reanna Blades could all earn a start after coming off the bench for Sunderland against Durham last weekend.

Predicted lineups

Liverpool: Kirby; Shimizu, Bonner, Clark, Fisk; Nagano; Enderby, Maclean, Hobinger, Kapocs; Olsson

Sunderland: Moloney; Griffiths, Greenwood, Atkinson, Roberts; Fenton, Blades, Finn, Brown, Dunbar, Jones.

Liverpool vs Sunderland prediction

These teams haven’t faced off against each other since 2022 but Liverpool dominate the head to head with 11 wins in 17 meetings.

The Reds have an added sense of motivation for the clash this week considering the tragic circumstances surrounding the club right now and we think Liverpool will kick off their cup run with a much needed win.

With a massive attendance expected to get behind Liverpool, we are backing the hosts to come out 3-2 winners.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Sunderland

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About Oliver Taliku 236 Articles
Olly Taliku has worked with highly respected sports and gambling websites where he has produced hundreds of articles, as well as being published with Burton Albion and Chesterfield FC. At Burton Olly worked closely alongside the women's team, producing mainly matchday content including reports and interviews. He also has experience as an accredited Premier League and EFL writer for Prost International where he worked during the 2021/22 season to produce matchday content as an on location reporter. Olly specialises in women's football as well as long form SEO content plus news and tips. While he enjoys writing about all football, Olly supports Arsenal passionately as a lifelong fan of the club.