Beard previews Everton double-header
Liverpool Ladies take on Everton in the Women's FA Cup quarter-final in Widnes on Saturday night with Mersey pride and a last-four spot at stake.
Kick-off at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes is at 7pm BST, and despite claiming the defence of their Women's Super League title remains the priority, boss Matt Beard admitted he would love to better their semi-final appearance from last season.
"We do want to progress in the cup competitions but I've got to be mindful of the players that we've got injured at the moment," Beard told Liverpoolfc.com.
"For me the league's our priority because we want to be occupying the top two spots, and we are also looking forward to playing in the Women's Champions League."
Tonight's game at the Select Security Stadium is the first of a double-header against the Blues, with the two sides set to meet again on Wednesday night in the Continental Cup group stage.
Beard admits his squad are relishing both derby games and the possibilities that they throw up.
He explained: "I'm confident with the group that we've got that we should be able to perform and cause Everton problems, but Merseyside derbies can go any way so both games will be good nights."
When asked if the FA Cup tie would offer up a different challenge, Beard added: "Probably because both teams have got to win it to progress into the next round of the cup.
"In the Continental Cup it's a group stage, so you can pick up a point or you can pick up three points and you've got four other games beyond that.
"Any cup game in my opinion becomes a cup final anyway because you want to progress in that and get to the next round."
Beard also reflected on the burgeoning partnership between last season's top-scorer Natasha Dowie and recent signing Gemma Davison, who stood out in last week's 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
Speaking about a potential lethal partnership developing between the two, he said: "They're still getting to know each other which will take time. I think it took Lousie, Nicky and Natasha probably eight or nine games last year to work off each other.
"Gemma's a slightly different player to both of those two. She's the sort of player that can create something out of nothing and I think as each training session goes and each game goes they're getting a better understanding of each other."
If you want to go to the Halton Stadium and cheer on the ladies admission is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and concessions.
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