Dowie: Champagne remains on ice yet
Natasha Dowie has revealed why it was imperative for Liverpool Ladies' title celebrations to be put on hold ahead of tonight's crunch Women's Champions League clash against Linkopings FC.
Matt Beard's side head into the second leg of the tie with a 2-1 lead courtesy of Dowie's late winner in Widnes last week, and the Ladies are full of confidence after clinching the Women's Super League title in dramatic fashion on Sunday.
The team celebrated their success with a quiet meal and a few soft drinks - and Dowie insists the champagne can wait until the job in hand, a thoroughly tough test in Sweden, has been comprehensively completed.
"It's a tough Linkopings team we are playing and they have some good players, so we have to make sure we are ready and recovered from Sunday," Dowie told Liverpoolfc.com.
"It's hard because we wanted to celebrate winning the league, but hopefully after Thursday we can celebrate. It's really exciting times at Liverpool and as a player you want to be involved in these big games."
Reflecting on the Reds' first-leg victory, the ruthless No.9 believes it was crucial the team departed for Sweden with an advantage in the bag.
She added: "We were disappointed not to keep a clean sheet but they are a good side. We have a 2-1 lead, which is pleasing. We know how difficult a game this will be as they will be coming out straight from the kick-off and trying to get a few goals.
"They'll have the home advantage with their crowd behind them and we need to go into this game disciplined and give everything we have got to progress through.
"We need to keep a good team shape and keep a clean sheet. An away goal would be great but 0-0 would be perfect, although we won't be going there to play for a draw because that can be dangerous. The perfect scenario for us is an away goal and a clean sheet."