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Chelsea and England midfielder Fran Kirby will miss the World Cup because of a knee problem that requires surgery.

The 29-year-old's club said on Tuesday that she was expected to be out for a "significant period".

A "gutted" Kirby later confirmed on social media that her World Cup ambitions were over.

Read more here.

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It's almost two years to the day since Matt Beard returned for his second stint in the Liverpool dugout and what a ride it has been.

Beard, who won two WSL titles during his previous spell, led the Reds to the Championship title last season, securing a return to the WSL and they are on track to finish comfortably clear of relegation.

BBC Three

Fancy watching tonight's game? Well if you're in the UK you can catch every kick on BBC Three from 19:05 BST.

You can also listen to live commentary on tonight's game on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 19:00 BST.

• Chelsea have only lost one of their last 39 home games in the WSL (W36 D2), with Brighton in February 2021 being the only side to win there in this run.
• Chelsea are on an 11-game winning run at home in the competition – the longest current run of any side in the WSL.
• Liverpool could become the first team to record a league double over Chelsea in the WSL since Manchester City in 2016, however, they are winless in their last 10 away games in the WSL (D4 L6) with the last nine coming under current head coach Matt Beard.

Chelsea sit seven points adrift of leaders Manchester United but crucially have three games in hand as they look to seal a fourth successive WSL title.

Image source, BBC Sport

Emma Hayes make just one change to the Chelsea side that were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals last week.

Forward Lauren James replaces defender Maren Mjelde.

Chelsea XI: Berger; Perisset, Carter, Eriksson, Charles; Fleming, Leupolz, Cuthbert; James, Kerr, Reiten.

Subs: Musovic, Ingle, Kaneryd, Harder, Abdullina, Cankovic.

Liverpool make four changes to the side who were thrashed 4-0 by Leicester last time out.

In goal Faye Mary Kirby replaces Rachael Laws.

Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Bonner and Miri Taylor also come in with Leighanne Robe and Katie Stengel dropping to the bench and Jasmine Matthews not in the squad.

Liverpool XI: Kirby, Koivisto, Roberts, Matthews, Bonner, Hinds, Taylor, Kearns, Holland, Van de Sanden, Dowie.

Subs: Laws, Cumings, Robe, Lundgaard, Humphrey, Stengel.

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Almost a week on from a 2-1 aggregate loss to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League, Chelsea turn their attention back to the Women's Super League this evening with Liverpool travelling to Kingsmeadow.

European glory might be off the agenda but a domestic double of league and FA Cup is still firmly on the cards for Chelsea, although games are set to come thick and fast.

Tonight's encounter signals the start of three fixtures in the space of seven days for Emma Hayes' side as they look to chase down league leaders Manchester United.