Above: Portland Thorns players lift the championship trophy in DC. Photo: @ThornsFC/Twitter.
An easy 2-0 win over the Kansas City Current gave the Portland Thorns the NWSL Championship at Audi Field in Washington DC on Saturday night. It was Kansas’ first trip to the championship final as the relatively newly-revamped Current but their exploits were not enough to win the ultimate prize.
The league’s M.V.P Sophia Smith put Portland ahead only four minutes into the game with her 15th goal of the season. Pouncing onto a long pass from Yazmeen Ryan in midfield, Smith found herself one on one with Adrianna Franch before rounding her to easily slot into the net.
The game gradually drifted into Portland’s hand and Smith again had a sight at goal in the 26th minute. She dribbled well into Current’s box while taking on defenders and her attempt to curl a shot could only go wide.
Kate Del Fava could have leveled matters in the 33rd minute but her header following a quick freekick did not dip in time to trouble Bella Bixby in Thorns’ goal. The teams went into the break with a single goal between them.
In the second half, Portland dictated play for large swathes of the game as they stifled every Kansas City attack. The Thorns doubled their advantage 11 minutes into the second half through an own goal by Addisyn Merrick.
Above: Sophia Smith celebrates after opening the scores against Kansas City Current. Photo: @ThornsFC/Twitter.
After failing to track Ryan’s run down the right flank, Portland’s winger drove in a sharp cross and a moment of miscommunication by Merrick and Franch led to the ball ricocheting off Merrick and trickling ever slowly across the goal line.
Morgan Weaver could have made it 3-0 two minutes later with a left-foot shot. Finding herself unmarked, Weaver tried to bend one past Franch but her effort was pushed onto the crossbar and over by the slightest of touches.
French was again called to action in the 71st minute to deny Hina Sugita from adding a third. The Japanese midfielder was again left unattended and she took the opportunity to test Franch and the shot-stopper met the shot with equal zeal and kept the scores respectable.
Portland would see off the game in the remaining minutes as the wind was blown out of Current’s sails securing their third NWSL Championship after a tumultuous year off the pitch for the north-western side.
Above: Ayr United celebrate Rachel Scott’s goal at Westdyke which put them 2-0 up. Photo: Jill Runcie / Sportpix.
Championship cup holders Dryburgh Athletic have been knocked out by league rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle in their home quarter-final as part of a dramatic weekend of cup ties across Scottish Women’s Football.
A goal from Caley Thistle favourite Natalie Bodiam and a Dryburgh own goal secured a place in the semi-finals for the Highlanders.
However, it was reverse fortunes for the two clubs in the youth cups. Inverness Caledonian Thistle saw their U18s side miss out on the final of the Scottish Youth Challenge Cup, narrowly losing 2-1 to Drumchapel Utd at the Oriam.
Drumchapel will face Musselburgh Windsor 18s in the final, who had beaten Dumbarton Utd 6-2 earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, Dryburgh can take consolation from their 14s side, who had reached the final of their age group’s Scottish Youth Challenge Cup on Saturday. The Dundee Girls will now face Glasgow City Pink in the final, while the 16s final will be contested by Giffnock SC and Penicuik after they beat Glasgow Girls and Central Girls respectively at the Oriam.
SWF League One leaders FC Edinburgh join Caley Thistle in the Championship and League One Cup semi-finals after beating Grampian Ladies 3-0 in the northeast, while their league rivals Westdyke suffered their first defeat of the season at home at the hands of Championship side Ayr United to conclude a hat-trick of away victories in the cup.
The remaining semi-finalist will be decided on Tuesday night, when a thrilling tie between the current top two in the SWF Championship – Livingston and Rossvale – will take place under the Tony Macaroni Stadium floodlights. The game kicks off at 7:45pm.
In the only SWF League One fixture of the weekend, BSC Glasgow beat Dundee West 3-1 at home to climb to seventh in the table.
Justine Burch was pitchside at Kingsmeadow for Impetus yesterday to capture all the best action EXCLUSIVELY as Chelsea hosted Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League (31/10/22).
Above: Joyous scenes as Sam Kerr, Lauren James, and Pernille Harder celebrate. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: The Chelsea starting team line-up before kick-off. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Guro Reiten dances along the wing. Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Millie Bright looks to get away along the flank.Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.Above: All eyes on the incoming set-piece. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.Above: Erin Cuthbert looks to get away. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.Above: Magda Eriksson crosses. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.Above: Pernille Harder joins Lauren James’ celebrations. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.Above: And celebrations start. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.Above: Pernille Harder looks to get forward. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Sophie Ingle and Lauren James celebrate. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Celebrations. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: More joy for Lauren James. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Lauren James looks to get a shot away. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Sam Kerr shows her joy. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Sam Kerr gets away. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Sam Kerr shoots. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Happy days for Sam Kerr. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Eyes of the predator. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Guro Reiten looks to escape. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Guro Reiten attacks in front of a packed West Stand at Kingsmeadow. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd powers forward. Photo: Justine Burch for Impetus.
Above: The Football Ferns are heading home to play internationals for the first time in four years. Photo: Friends of Football.
Five Wellington Phoenix players have been named in the New Zealand squad for the two homecoming internationals against South Korea during the November international window.
Betsy Hassett, Paige Satchell, Kate Taylor, and Mackenzie Barry have kept their places in the 24-strong national squad, while Junior Football Ferns midfielder Grace Wisnewski has been selected for the first time.
Wisnewski was an integral member of the Phoenix women’s side in their inaugural season, playing the full 90 minutes in each of the 11 matches she started.
She missed three games for mental health reasons, cutting short her stay in Wollongong to return to New Zealand when the borders opened.
Wisnewski returned to football after a mental health break and started all three of the Junior Football Ferns’ group matches at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August, scoring their opening goal of the tournament against Mexico.
“Grace has been a consistent performer in the A-League and at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. I always saw her as an aggressive defender, but in the World Cup environment she also showed how dangerous she is going forward, especially against Colombia,” Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková said.
“I also want to commend Grace on her bravery in talking about her challenges at the end of the A-League season.
Above: Wellington Phoenix young star Grace Wisnewski has received her first call up to the senior Football Ferns Squad. Photo: Wellington Phoenix.
“After taking a few months out before the World Cup in Costa Rica she has come back so much stronger, and can be a great role model for other young players coming through.”
Off-season recruits Hassett and Satchell have been first-choice players since Klimková took charge and both started the recent friendly against Japan.
Hassett is the country’s fourth most-capped international footballer, with the midfielder having represented New Zealand at three Olympic Games and the last three FIFA Women’s World Cups.
Pacy forward Satchell has played more than 30 times for the Ferns and has established herself in Klimková’s starting XI over the past year.
Taylor and Barry both broke into the national squad this year after being mainstays at the heart of the Phoenix defence in the 2021-22 A-League Women.
Taylor made her Football Ferns debut against Norway in June before going on to lead the Junior Football Ferns at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica. Barry had to wait to make her senior bow, but did so against Japan earlier this month.
The two matches against South Korea are the Ferns’ first in Aotearoa in four years.
Both internationals are in Christchurch, with the first on Saturday, November 12, and the second three days later on Tuesday night.
Above:Stina Blackstenius runs away in celebration after putting Arsenal 2-1 up last night. Photo:Arsenal Women.
Arsenal came from behind to claim victory over West Ham United in front of almost 4,000 fans at Meadow Park, in doing so breaking the record for consecutive WSL wins.
This victory, the Gunners’ 13th league win in a row, came despite the Hammers offering stubborn and impressive opposition, particularly in the first half, which saw their captain, Icelandic international Dagny Brynjarsdottir put in an outstanding shift.
After her goalscoring return to action in the club’s midweek win over FC Zurich in the Champions League, Jordan Nobbs was on the bench, joined by the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Jen Beattie, Lina Hurtig, and Mana Iwabuchi. Long gone are the days when the Gunners relied on teenagers to fill their quota of substitutes.
Arsenal started by maximising possession, looking to build patiently from the back. That ploy had its first reward as Stina Blackstenius cut along the left only for Grace Fisk to head clear. Fisk was in action at the other end linking with captain Brynjarsdottir who angled a powerful header that Gunners keeper Manuela Zinsberger gathered at the second attempt.
Above: Caitlin Foord, seen here in action against Brighton and Hove Albion, had an influential opening to last night’s game. Photo: Arsenal Women.
The task of trying to rein in Caitlin Foord, arguably in the club form of her life, was given to Lisa Evans, but the Matildas star had the freedom to drift across the centre and out to the left, pulling the Hammers’ attacker around with her at will in the early exchanges. To make a difficult experience for Evans worse, Foord’s pace left the Scot struggling in this spell.
Arsenal turned up the pressure with 13 minutes on the clock as Beth Mead and Frida Maanum combined with menace to earn a corner which Wubben-Moy headed goalwards but the visitors cleared. Maanum advanced once more shortly afterwards and forced the Hammers into a sliced clearance at the cost of another corner.
The visitors looked to respond and after a move starting on their left, Evans fired a powerful effort which did not bother Zinsberger, but it was enough to remind the home side that the EastEnders posed a threat.
Five minutes later and, after a corner from the right, Brynjarsdottir rocketed a header into the net, only for her effort to be ruled out for a foul as she made contact with the ball. It was yet another warning sign for Arsenal that despite all their possession, West Ham’s efforts were giving them a serious foothold in this game. Their ability to play quick balls across the Gunners’ 18-yard area and looking to make incisions into the box were causing problems at the back for the hosts.
Above: West Ham United celebrate Dagny Brynjarsdottir’s goal as in the background Arsenal rue their indecision in the build-up. Photo: Barclays Women’s Super League.
With 34 minutes played, West Ham earned their reward. Viviane Asseyi played a ball through towards Brynjarsdottir which Steph Catley angled back towards her own goalkeeper. As Brynjarsdottir honed in on the ball, Zinsberger didn’t know whether to stick or twist, and the outcome was a slow agony for Arsenal as the ball rolled gradually towards the goal only to hit the post, with Brynjarsdottir getting the last touch as it was redirected over the line. Both she and her side deserved it for their respective efforts. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in almost 15 and three-quarter hours of WSL football.
The Gunners tried to respond, and with Asseyi out of the action on the right flank, Mead broke through. As she did so, Kim Little went down. Mead advanced and powered an effort in which earned a corner. Little was forced from the pitch, bringing a return to action for Nobbs with five minutes remaining of the half.
With the hosts earning back-to-back corners, they levelled the scores as the ball made its way to Nobbs on the edge of the box to fire an absolute rocket to mark her arrival in style.
Above: Jordan Nobbs shows her glee after hitting a superb equaliser. Photo: Barclays Women’s Super League.
The Gunners ended the first half on the front foot, but West Ham deserved parity for their superb work-ethic and stubborn probing of the home side.
Arsenal created the second period’s first opportunity within six minutes of the re-start as Blackstenius found Foord out on the left, but the Australian’s shot hit the side netting as Hammers keeper Sophie Hillyard cut down the angle.
The momentum remained with the hosts, and within two minutes, Arsenal were ahead as Steph Catley curled in a free-kick for Blackstenius to head home.
West Ham found it hard to respond from an attacking prospect as the match developed into a battle for control of the midfield. However, they had worked hard to counter the threat of Foord with Risa Shimizu backing up Evans in containing the Matildas star’s threat.
This move did have a major negative though in allowing for space for Katie McCabe on the left, and the Irish international had an ever-increasing influence on the match as it entered its last half-hour.
Shots on target were rare in this period, with the sole opportunity coming from Mead who worked her way onto the left-hand side of the box and fired a powerful effort across goal which Hillyerd got a hand to in order to direct away for a corner.
McCabe was revelling in the space afforded her on the left and she got away to deliver a pinpoint cross for Maanum to head in Arsenal’s third with 20 minutes remaining.
Above: Katie McCabe (top) who played a major role in Arsenal’s second-half performance. Photo: RTE.
Buoyed by this, Arsenal flicked the switch and played their most fluent football of the evening. Whilst Eidevall rang the changes, mindful of players’ minutes after two successive midweek Champions League games, it did not lessen his side’s intensity. It merely set West Ham another puzzle.
Hurtig and Miedema were in tune from the moment they entered the field with the Swede looking in full penalty box predator mode. Arsenal were quicker and more incisive, and the Hammers were hanging on for dear life in the final 10 minutes.
Miedema laid off a ball to Nobbs who, in almost a repeat of her stunning strike before the break, crashed in a shot that Hillyerd repelled.
West Ham earned a rare chance in stoppage time when Brynjarsdottir hit a powerful effort that needed Zinsberger to push away to the right for a corner.
There was still time for one last Arsenal effort as Maanum combined with Hurtig to force Hillyerd into a save.
Whilst it took Arsenal some time to get up to full speed in this encounter against dogged opposition, this was another impressive win from Eidevall’s team. To come through successive weeks of WSL and Champions League football and still win games comfortably is no mean feat.
They look the real deal this season. At their best, the Gunners can move the ball around and offer movement off the ball that is at a level virtually almost unequalled in the WSL. Arsenal might be second at present, but with current leaders Manchester United their next home opposition, we will soon see just how good the Gunners are.
Impetus’ Nathan Edwards was in Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward‘s media conference ahead of today’s visit to Chelsea (30/10/22).
Above: Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward is in a buoyant mood ahead of today’s trip to Kingsmeadow. Photo: Aston Villa Women.
Carla Ward believes Aston Villa “are playing some of the best football she has seen from this group” as they sit seventh going in their Women’s Super League game against Chelsea.
Despite back-to-back defeats against Everton in the space of a week, in the WSL and Conti Cup, Ward doesn’t want her players to get too down on past results. The Villa coach said, “They (Chelsea) are a good side, but so are we and that’s what I told them this morning, and we can take a lot of confidence from the position we are in.
“The pressure will not be on us. Everyone will expect Chelsea to win the game, so we will go there and be competitive. We are playing a top, top side. We have to make sure we can compete and cause them some problems.
“We need to remind the players that we did that against Manchester City, and I know they are at different stages. We are up against one of the best teams in the country, so we have to enjoy going up against these players and these staff, to show what we are about.”
Throughout their losses to the Toffees and against West Ham United, Villa have struggled to find the cutting edge to convert chances, with their penalty shootout defeat on Wednesday a prime example.
“We have dominated our games this season, we have dominated chances and had more final third crosses than any team in the WSL. We are showing we aren’t a little club, but a team that is playing with purpose this year and I think we have shown that.”
Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward on why her side should be confident going to Chelsea.
“If anyone watched Wednesday night, we could have been up 4-0 up by halftime, which was frustrating.”
But despite the strong start, which included that win against Manchester City, Ward is expecting an even more difficult task at Kingsmeadow.
“We know we will be without the ball for large parts of the game and it will be a different test, and manage the moments when we don’t have the ball.”
The game also sees Hannah Hampton available, but after the performances that Anna Leat has put in whilst Hampton has been injured, Ward has got a difficult decision to make.
Ward said “Leat has been outstanding. There has been a lot of talk about when Hannah (Hampton) is coming back, but I think that is highly disrespectful to Leat. We now have two exceptional keepers, that are pushing each other every day and we know we can rely on them, but they will have to fight it out.”
Impetus’ Ellie Ramsauer was in Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Hope Powell‘s media conference for us ahead of today’s game with Tottenham Hotspur. The former Lionesses chief outlined how preparations have gone and what she needs to see from her side against the North London outfit (30/10/22).
Above: Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Hope Powell looked ahead to today’s game with Spurs. Photo: Brighton and Hove Albion Women.
Hope Powell’s Brighton and Hove Albion have no new injury concerns ahead of today’s important WSL game with Tottenham Hotspur.
Whilst injury news is positive, the head coach conceded that there are “still some tired minds from last Sunday’s game (against Chelsea), but apart from that, everyone’s okay so far.”
Despite results not going Brighton’s way recently, including that result against Chelsea in which they lost 2-0, Powell remains positive as she believes that the game against the defending champions was “the best we’ve performed this season,” and that Brighton “matched them for a large proportion of the game.” She also noted that, in the game her side “created more chances than we probably have before against Chelsea”.
Whilst Powell was also “pleased with the attitude” her side displayed against the Champions League contenders, especially with “how the squad came together [and] really had a good go, and made it very, very difficult for a very good side.” However, she conceded that, ultimately, “it is about results.”
Above: Katie Robinson – in fine form for Brighton and Hove Albion in recent times. Photo: Brighton and Hove Albion Women.
Looking ahead to today’s game in which Brighton face a Tottenham side that have had a mixed start to the season with two wins and two defeats under Rehanne Skinner, Powell states that “having looked at them, they look very organised, very strong, very aggressive [and] move the ball very well.”
The former Lionesses head coach also noted that they “have some very experienced players in there,” and that she “knows it’s going to be tough.”
In order to beat Tottenham, Powell believes that Brighton will have to be “as aggressive” as this Tottenham side and that they will “have to be up for the fight if we want to get something out of the game.”
In terms of preparation for this Sunday’s game, Brighton have “worked on strategy” including “what we look to do when we haven’t got the ball [and] what we look to do when we’ve got the ball.” In particular, “finishing is one that we always look at.”
Further, Powell believes that overall, what she needs to see from her team is: “a positive attitude in the way we want to play. If we’re really aggressive, if we really help each other and really work hard for each other, I think it’s proved in the past that it gives us the best chance to perform well.”
Above: Murphy Agnew in action during her time in the US College system. Photo: Soccer Wire.
Earlier today, Newcastle Jets announced the signing of American forward Murphy Agnew for the A-League Women season.
Murphy joins the Jets after recently playing in Iceland with Thróttur Reykjavík after coming through the US college system.
Newcastle Jets Coach Ash Wilson was understandably thrilled to capture the American forward: “Murphy is someone who comes to us having had successful college experience in the US as well as a season in Iceland. She has so many attributes we believe will contribute positively to our environment and the performances we are looking to put in that reflect the town and what it means to play for Newcastle.
Above: Murphy Agnew during her time at Thróttur Reykjavík. Photo: Ljósmynd/Þróttur R.
Wilson expanded on the qualities that Agnew will bring to the Jets: “She is versatile, has a great work rate, and likes to play forward and involve herself in attacking movements. She has the capacity to score goals and break teams down with her ability to run with the ball in space but will be tireless in defence as well. She is a quality person who will bring a lot to the change-room, pitch, and community and I’m looking forward to having her join us.”
Agnew outlined her own thoughts about her first season in the A-League Women with Newcastle Jets.
“I’m very happy to have signed for the Jets and I’m excited to use this opportunity to help the team and grow as a player on and off the field.
“I’m looking forward to being part of a hard-working community and being able to play with an awesome group of girls. It’s shaping up to be an intense, competitive season and I can’t wait to get started.”
Impetus’ Johnathan Stack was in Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor‘s media conference yesterday (29/10/22).
Above: Gareth Taylor speaking to the media. Photo: Manchester City.
Head Coach Gareth Taylor spoke ahead of Manchester City’s game with Liverpool at the weekend, a big game for both teams with an in-form City looking for their third win in the league on the bounce. Meanwhile, the visitors are looking to find some form after back-to-back defeats to Everton and Arsenal.
But ahead of the game, the talking point was the ongoing movement in the women’s game for clubs to move away from wearing white shorts. A move that will reduce anxiety amongst players who have concerns about playing while on their periods.
Above: Manchester City’s Conti Cup win over Blackburn Rovers in midweek was the first time they had played a home game in burgundy shorts to help with player well-being. Photo: Manchester City Women.
FA Women’s National League Northern Premier side West Bromwich Albion led the way by changing to navy shorts, followed by Stoke City in the same division who moved to red shorts. North of the border, Livingston in the third tier SWF Championship has changed to black shorts with Welsh club Swansea City also wearing black shorts from now on.
The latest club to join the movement is Manchester City who debuted burgundy shorts in Wednesday night’s 6-0 win in the Continental League Cup against Blackburn Rovers. The decision to change the colour of the shorts to help with the well-being of the players is a sign of the progress being made in the women’s game.
Taylor believes the move is a “good step forward” for both the game and female athletes saying: “I think there was good interaction from players and club and then with our manufacturers in Puma. The girls were fine, they were pleased with it and just got on with it. For many of us, it was only when we saw the shorts that we realised there was a difference. A lot of this discussion had gone on previously outside of a few of the staff members but it’s great that everyone’s on board with it. I’m sure pretty much everyone would agree we’re moving things forward.
“There’s plenty of considerations now for female athletes which are important for them to be the best versions of themselves. There’s a much better awareness now, it’s more openly talked about, I think it’s only good for the girls and for the game as well.”
Gareth Taylor, Manchester City Head Coach.
Taylor’s side go into Sunday’s game looking for a fourth consecutive victory in all competitions since the international break. But City experienced a tough encounter with Liverpool in pre-season and the Reds got off to a great start to life back in the WSL with an opening-day victory over reigning champions Chelsea showing their capabilities in the top division. Taylor on the other hand is confident that if City focuses on their own performance, it should be enough to take the three points on Sunday.
Speaking about City’s opponents, Taylor said “Matt (Beard) has got a wealth of experience, he’s really knowledgeable and has had success previously. He did well getting them back up to the WSL, where they rightly belong as a team. They’re hardworking and brave in what they do.
Above: Mary Fowler in training ahead of Sunday’s game with Liverpool. Photo: Manchester City Women.
“We’re expecting a tough test, we played them in pre-season, and we’ve seen what they can do earlier on against Chelsea. “It’s a tough opponent for us but I always put it back to what we do. “If we look after ourselves and what we’re trying to do we’ll come out hopefully on the right side of the result.”
City has been in rejuvenated form after a tricky start to the season, they have been in fine form with wins over Leicester, Spurs, and Blackburn in the cup and will be looking to continue their climb up the table on Sunday.
Impetus’ Johnathan Stack was in Liverpool head coach Matt Beard‘s media conference today as the Reds’ head coach looked ahead to another tough fixture at Manchester City at the weekend (28/10/22).
Above: Liverpool head coach Matt Beard, who spoke to the media today ahead of The Reds’ trip to Manchester City on Sunday. Photo: Liverpool FC Women.
Liverpool will be looking at putting on another good display against top opposition this Sunday as they face Manchester City at the Academy Stadium.
The Reds have endured a tough start to the Barclays WSL season. An impressive opening-day win against Chelsea was followed by defeats at home to Everton and high-flying Arsenal. Matters don’t get any easier with a trip to City who themselves have had a mixed start to the season.
Liverpool picked up a vital Continental League Cup win against Leicester City in mid-week and Head Coach Matt Beard spoke of the positives from that game and what the team can take into the weekend’s game saying: “It was a good team performance. We looked at a different shape as well as we have been switching to 3-5-2 in a lot of the games with the injuries to the frontline, we’ve got I was pleased.
“I was pleased to get the goals from open play and pleased with scoring from a corner as well because last season we were dangerous from set plays. There were lots of positives to take. I felt we pressed Leicester well, we bypassed their press at times well, so from our perspective there were some valuable lessons learned and another way of playing which gives me a little bit of tactical flexibility with the group.”
The Reds’ hosts on Sunday are rejuvenated themselves having recorded back-to-back WSL wins against Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur before getting their Continental Cup campaign underway with a powerful 6-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday.
Above: Liverpool celebrate in midweek as they recorded a powerful 4-0 Conti Cup win over Leicester City. Photo: Liverpool FC Women.
Beard views Sunday’s opponents highly, stating: “They are a fantastic team. I feel it’s going to take them a little bit of time (to gel), especially with the turnover that they have had and the players they have lost. Each week their performance level gets better so it’s going to be a tough afternoon for us. We played them in pre-season, and it was a good game we learned a lot from it, so we can take some positives from that performance.
“If we look at the way that our season has gone so far, there are loads of positives we can take, but we just need to start turning the positivity into consistency and into points. “Gareth [Taylor] has done a good job since he’s been there, and it was always going to be tough taking over from Nick Cushing. But it’s a north-west derby and we are looking forward to the game.”
The Liverpool head coach emphasised how important it was for his side to ride the wave of their fiendishly tough run of fixtures to start their first WSL campaign after spending two seasons in the Championship. “There are no easy games in this division. “We won’t take anything for granted.
“What we will do is take the learnings that we’ve had in certain moments against these top sides to make sure we don’t allow it to happen against some of the teams that maybe we will be in and around, whether that’s now [or at the] end of the season, but what we have to do is remain positive.
“I said this after we played Chelsea, that we can’t get carried away. We just need to concentrate on ourselves and do as much as we can to put ourselves in a good position come to the Christmas break.”
Liverpool will be looking to put in a positive performance and pushing on up the table.
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