The stage is set for a historic showdown this Sunday as Liverpool Women welcome Brighton & Hove Albion Women to St Helens Stadium for a high-stakes Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-final.
While every cup tie carries its own brand of tension, this particular fixture is steeped in unprecedented significance: for both clubs, a victory represents much more than just a spot in a final—it is a guaranteed ticket to the first Wembley Stadium appearance in their respective histories.
In a competition defined by legacy and prestige, the prospect of walking out onto the hallowed turf of the national stadium has remained a dream just out of reach for these two sides until now.
For Liverpool, a win would signal a triumphant return to the elite tier of the English game, crowning their recent resurgence with a chance at major silverware.
For Brighton, it is an opportunity to shatter the glass ceiling and announce themselves as a powerhouse on the grandest stage of all.
With the weight of history hanging in the balance, ninety minutes (and perhaps a nerve-shredding period of extra time and penalties) are all that stand between these squads and a landmark achievement that will be talked about for generations.
It is a true “winner-takes-all” scenario where the ultimate prize isn’t just a trophy, but a maiden voyage to the home of football.
Here everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
How to Watch
Kick-off for this game is 12:15pm. There is coverage on Channel 4 and TNT Sport. The game is also being streamed on Channel 4 and HBO Max.
Recent Form
Liverpool Women: Liverpool have failed to win since their FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Charlton Athletic and have not scored in their last two WSL games. Their run to the semi-finals include a 6-0 win over London Bees and a 2-1 win in a Merseyside derby over Everton, as well as that win over Charlton.
Brighton and Hove Albion Women: Brighton are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, one which includes a 0-0 draw against their opponents in the semi-final and a 3-2 victory over Manchester City. Their FA Cup run includes a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, a 2-1 win over West Ham United and an impressive 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the quarterfinals.
Ones to Watch
Ceri Holland (Liverpool Women): Holland has put in consistent shifts for the Reds in recent times. She is a crucial part of the Liverpool attacking line having six goal contributions over the course of the WSL season.
Kiko Seike (Brighton and Hove Albion Women): Seike has been Brighton’s most clinical player, scoring in big moments and keeping calm under pressure. With ten goal contributions in 19 games in the WSL she is as a threat to most defences.
Team News
Liverpool Women: Gareth Taylor has the addition of Cornelia Kapocs who has returned to training from injury. Longer term injuries include Martha Thomas, Gemma Bonner, Lucy Parry and Sam Kerr who all remain sidelined. Marie Hobinger, Sophie Roman Haug remain out still after their ACL injuries. Sofie Lundgaard is sidelined after sustaining a hamstring injury earlier in the season.
Brighton and Hove Albion Women: Dario Vidosic rotated heavily midweek against Arsenal with the semi-final in mind, making seven changes.
Managers have their say
Liverpool Women – Gareth Taylor: In his column, Taylor believes that Wembley would be a reward for the supporters who have been dedicated after a turbulent season. “We know Brighton are a tough challenge. They have had some really good results recently and both our games against them this season have been draws.
In the WSL game at St Helens, we really had that game in the bag and then conceded in stoppage time, which was frustrating.
This is a really good opportunity for us to really give our fantastic supporters something to hold onto. I really think a Wembley visit would be just reward for everyone at the club and all of our supporters.”
Brighton and Hove Albion Women: Dario Vidosic:
They go into the tie unbeaten in six league and cup games, a run which was extended by the midweek draw with Arsenal.
Asked whether he will keep the build-up the same as usual, Vidosic said: “Probably the only thing that will be different is that we will just practise penalties as well.
“As with any League Cup game or FA Cup game, we always will do that.
“But everything else is always the same. We always go through the same processes.
“We always look at how we can improve, what we have done well, and then just different ways to improve individuals and also the collective.”
