Manager goes into final women’s Merseyside derby at Goodison upbeat despite still searching for their first win

In Brian Sørensen’s previous two seasons in charge of Everton, their first win came away against Liverpool, so as his team sit winless after seven games and prepare to host their Merseyside rivals at Goodison Park on Sunday, those derby victories are on his mind. “It’s just unlucky we have them in round eight instead of round one or two,” he says.

Luck has not been on Everton’s side this term. The 44-year-old Dane is determined to stay positive but naturally wishes he could pick his strongest side. Watching back September’s goalless friendly against Liverpool in preparation for Sunday, he feels a pang of sadness, seeing so many key players since ruled out by injury. The season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained by the Spain midfielder Inma Gabarro in a 1-0 loss to Manchester United, days after the same fate had befallen the Italy midfielder Aurora Galli, brought an ashen look of despair to Sørensen’s face at the time.