NewsColumn: Amber Whiteley on Anfield win over Man Utd, fitness update and Arsenal trip

It was a really special night for everyone at Anfield last Friday. I thought the girls were absolutely brilliant from start to finish.

• Get the latest LFC Women ticket details here

We had to weather the storm a little bit in the first half but the two goals were superb before the break, and I think that gave us the confidence to be a little more front-foot in the second half both with and without the ball.

Rachael Laws made two big saves for us in the first half, which I felt were hugely important. We have had to call on Lawsy in some big moments across the last three games and she has answered every time.

Going into the game, we had sickness in the camp with Grace Fisk, Gemma Bonner, Ceri Holland and Leanne Kiernan all falling ill.

We spoke about it being an opportunity to show the strength and power of the collective – and I think we absolutely did that.

Jenna Clark, Fuka Nagano and Alejandra Bernabe were outstanding. Each of them played a huge part in helping us win the game.

We do a lot of work during the week – not just with the starting XI but with the entire squad – and I think that showed on Friday when I had to make those late changes.

With Alejandra coming into the team at left-back, Taylor Hinds switched to right-back and I thought she was excellent defensively.

We were well-organised, well-drilled and it was really difficult for United to break us down.

I was made up for Alejandra. She was brilliant, defended on the front foot and didn’t let anything come down our left side. It was also a great bit of play from her with the overlapping run to win the penalty.

What a performance from Alejandra under the lights at Anfield. I was absolutely delighted for her.

We showed the strength we have got in our squad and proved that it’s not just the starting XI – it’s everyone. I’m so proud of the team for doing that on such a big occasion.

Ceri, Gemma, Grace and Leanne are all fine now and have trained with us this week, so that gives me a big selection headache for the weekend.

We face Arsenal again on Saturday when we travel to Emirates Stadium – this time in the Barclays Women’s Super League (kick-off 5.30pm GMT).

We had a brilliant win against them in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals but this will be a totally different game.

It’s another big game and one we are looking forward to. We are expecting an improved Arsenal from that game.

They are a very good side but we will be prepared, as we always are. We will go into the game clear on what we need to do to stop them but also clear as to what we need to do to try to hurt them as well.

I have to say, the girls have been fantastic. We’ve got such a talented group and they want to be playing on these big stages against the best teams and the best players.

I’m so pleased we’ve been able to show the strength and the quality that we have got in this team over the last three weeks.

Thank you for your continued support as always.

YNWA,

Amber

Amber Whiteley was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com's Steve Hunter

• Get the latest LFC Women ticket details here