Bonner: Let's keep our title focus
Liverpool Ladies captain Gemma Bonner is in confident mood that her team can add to their run of five consecutive wins against Merseyside rivals Everton on Thursday night and continue their fight for the title.
Matt Beard's charges sit proudly at the top of the Women's Super League and they will stay there and become champions if they win their remaining two games against Everton and Bristol - all on home turf.
Anything but a win for the Reds could set up a nervy final day against Bristol City, who are currently five points behind the leaders in third but with a game in hand. Bristol are also two points behind Arsenal, who lie in second place.
Reigning champions Arsenal dropped crucial points against Lincoln and Bristol last week and the Liverpool defender admitted she was relieved that the destiny of the title was in their hands.
"I think it's massive," Bonner told Liverpoolfc.com.
"If you'd ask any of the players they'd all say they'd prefer to control what we did so now that it is in our own hands, it's up to us to do the job.
"We had a few bad results coming in at the back of a break so it was important that we picked ourselves up but after five straight wins we go into the Everton match with a lot of confidence."
The local derby is always a special occasion with bragging rights at stake, but Bonner doesn't feel the enormity of the encounter will get to her and the girls and that the extra spice of it being against Everton shouldn't mean anything.
She added: "You have to play the game rather than the occasion. We've done that this season in spite of all the expectation on us.
"It's a derby game, so not much needs to be said, I mean if you can't get up for a derby than there must be something wrong. But we have to approach it as we would any other game. We have to prepare in the right way and hopefully that will bring a good performance."
Bonner went on to suggest that it was the togetherness in the camp which has found them top of the table going into the final stretch.
She said: "I think the team spirit has been massive. There's great character within the squad and I think we've managed to install a winning mentality that's showed in a couple of the close games - especially getting the result at Bristol away, that was a massive result for us."
The young lady from Leeds has enjoyed her first season as captain and has spoken of her dream of lifting the Women's Super League title.
"It would mean everything," she said.
"To win a league at the top level is what every player wants to do and we're no different.
"It's a real privilege to be the captain of Liverpool and I've enjoyed the role. All the girls have helped out and I know there are other girls I can look up to as well. It's not just me being the leader on the pitch."
Previously winning the League Cup with Leeds was a great moment for her, and the experience has made her even hungrier for success than ever before.
She added: "When you have a taste of winning things it makes you determined to go on and win more. I enjoyed my experience with Leeds and now I want to experience it again with Liverpool."
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