Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor says this afternoon’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Everton presents an excellent opportunity for his side to reach the final stages of a major cup tie.
The Reds have struggled against their city rivals recently but are improving on a game-by-game basis with the help of some investment in January.
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Liverpool coach Taylor said in an interview with the media at the pre-match press conference that this afternoon’s game is a good opportunity for his team.
“I think it’s going to be big [to qualify]”Taylor said, “Most games are really difficult to win or even get to the final stage. This is a great opportunity for us. The next stage after the international break, we don’t want a free weekend, we want to get to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
“We know the challenges but it’s a good home game for us and our fans are right behind us and it’s a game we’re looking forward to.”
Rivals Everton have won their last three games, two of which came under the interim management of Scott Phelan. Taylor highlighted some of the changes in Everton’s style of play since the change of leadership.
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He said: “They’ve succeeded, Scott [Phelan] Come in and give them a platform to build on.
“Their formations are tighter, especially defensively, and they attack out of their formations more, so I think they give the opponent maybe less.
“They are more pragmatic defensively and when they have opportunities, they take them. Their approach makes sense, being more pragmatic and hitting teams more on the break. They drop deep and leave teams exposed in transition. Their players have good quality.”
“For us, we’re really aware of that, how we might be harming them in these spaces and what types of spaces they’re leaving.”
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Liverpool made several new additions in January but Taylor says these new players need no introduction in the Merseyside derby.
He said: “The players are very good at bringing in new players. They understand what it means to play for this football club and the importance of these types of games. I don’t think there needs to be any education on that, the players are really understanding on that.”
Liverpool’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup fifth round tie with Everton kicks off at 4:30pm today. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased by clicking here .
