Everton v Liverpool: Merseyside Derby preview
A century after Dick, Kerr Ladies attracted 53,000 fans to Goodison Park, this weekend will see Everton and Liverpool women meet on the very same pitch.
This is one of two Women’s Super League derbies this weekend, but unlike Everton, the Gunners will not be welcoming Spurs with the spectacle of the Emirates and have instead opted for their 4,500-capacity place of comfort at Meadow Park.
The last Merseyside fixture saw the Blue side of Liverpool celebrating at Anfield, with Everton captain Lucy Graham scoring the first ever Women’s Super League goal at the ground.
Vicky Jepson’s Reds will be relishing the chance to walk out onto the pristine pitch at Goodison Park considering two of their last three matches have been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Apart from the poor facilities at Prenton Park, Liverpool’s main downfall has been their lack of goal scoring outlets and they are facing relegation as a result.
Scoring only 5 goals this WSL season, they join Birmingham City with the lowest goals scored.
But the Reds have strength in defence.
Securing tight 1-0 results against the top three teams, Liverpool have conceded only 13 goals which surprisingly, given their position at the bottom of the table, is the fifth lowest in the league.
New signing Rachel Furness scored the winning goal in Liverpool’s first win of the season against relegation rivals Bristol City in their last league appearance, and manager Jepson will be hoping that the Northern Irish international can be the change that Liverpool have been searching for.
The Toffees will be keen to put an end to any momentum growing for their Merseyside opponents.
With three consecutive losses, Willie Kirk’s Everton sit at fifth in the table, one point behind Manchester United.
Their win over London Bees to proceed to the fifth round of the FA Cup was soon overshadowed by last weekend’s 1-0 loss to ninth place Brighton.
Chloe Kelly has been Everton’s saving grace with six goals in nine starts and Everton have added to their attacking firepower with the recruitment of England’s Izzy Christiansen and Australia’s Hayley Raso.
While Raso is on international duty for Olympic qualifiers, Christiansen has yet to make her debut for the Blues after picking up fresh injury concerns, but the 28-year-old could be in contention to kickstart her Everton career at Goodison Park.
As Everton search for an upturn in form and Liverpool find themselves battling against relegation, there could be a lot in store for this Merseyside Derby.
