Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Fri 24 April 2026 15:10, UK

Rita Guarino says West Ham United are “not focused on the mathematics” of their lowly Women’s Super League position ahead of facing Liverpool.

Guarino was sworn in as West Ham’s new coach just before Christmas on an 18-month deal following the sacking of Rehanne Skinner. The former Inter Milan boss, who took up her first management job outside of her native Italy, has been solid if unspectacular so far.

Since taking over, the Italian has secured league wins over basement side Leicester City and mid-table Brighton, while earning creditable draws with Manchester United and London City.

West Ham are just four points above Leicester, who have a game in hand, and on Sunday face a tough trip to fellow strugglers, Liverpool, in one of their three remaining fixtures.

Despite their precarious 11th-place position, Guarino is solely focused on improving West Ham’s fortunes and giving Liverpool a tough game.

West Ham searching for identity

Earlier this season, West Ham played out a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Chigwell Construction Stadium, with Beata Olsson grabbing a late equaliser for the Reds.

Heading into this encounter, West Ham have won just one of their last five league matches, whereas Liverpool have sped away from bottom spot, with three victories from their last five.

West Ham and their WSL rivals are back from another international break and after having a limited time with her players, Guarino hopes they can become a cohesive unit in the remainder of the season.

She told reporters, “We are focused on taking it game by game, so now we are focused on Liverpool and getting points. We are in a process and I want to see us grow in this process.

“I want to see consistency in what we prepare and what we ask to the players, in terms of the principles of the game. It’s not just about results, it’s about how we want to play. We’re in the process of finding our identity.”

When asked if her players were looking over their shoulders, with the bottom WSL club set for a play-off against the WSL 2’s third-placed team, Guarino cut a calm figure.

She added, “We are very focused on things game by game and now we are looking at Liverpool to get points. We are not focused on the mathematics. At the end of the season, we will see where we will be. In this moment, we have to try to do our best to take points.

“Obviously we have ambition, like everyone else, so we look forward to the next things. But we need to stay in the league. The focus is on that.”

West Ham star swoops up award

West Ham looked to be heading to a disappointing defeat to London City before the April international break, only for Oona Siren to rescue her team.

With less than half an hour to play, the Hammers ace composed herself before volleying in a peach of a volley from nearly 25 yards out.

This week, it was confirmed that the 25-year-old Finnish international had earned the goal of the month award for March.

West Ham could do with more magic from her against Liverpool on Sunday.