After a defeat to Chelsea in the semi-finals, forcing Liverpool Women to exit the FA Cup, their focus shifts to their next WSL game against Brighton.
FA Cup upset
Liverpool FC Women were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final after a late goal from Aggie Beever-Jones.
Despite disappointment Amber Whiteley looked at the positives after a close match with the WSL leaders.
She said: “We’re really disappointed with the result, we got so close to going to Wembley.
“The mood overall has been really positive because the performance was so good.
“Chelsea are a top side, and we went toe to toe with them in the first half and I think they found it difficult to break us down.
“We’ll take the positives from the game and put those into the four remaining league games we’ve got left.”
Competing with top sides
Liverpool struck first with a goal from Olivia Smith in 21st minute and held Chelsea to a draw for most of the game.
The Reds’ manager said: “It’s not the first time we’ve shown a top opposition that we can perform and that we can compete.
“We have to take huge positives from that game.
“This is just the start for us it’s going to take a little time to build our style of play, but I think we’ve made a really good start, and you can see the direction we’re trying to go in.”
Brighton v Liverpool
Liverpool travel to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton on Saturday 19th April at 12:30.
Despite a strong start to their WSL campaign Brighton’s recent form has been inconsistent.
Amber Whiteley said: “They’re just sitting above us in the table, and we hope to turn that around on Saturday- that’s the aim for us.
“It’ll be a tough test for sure, Brighton’s recent form hasn’t been what they’ve wanted but they’re a good side, well organised, and well drilled.
“We’ll have to be at our best on Saturday to get the result that we want.”
Sights on 5th place
Only one point separates Liverpool and Brighton in the table- the Reds will hope to secure an important win and move to 5th place.
Amber Whiteley believes a 5th finish would be the indicator of a successful season for LFC.
She said: “I think yes considering where we were when I first took over.
“We want to finish the season as strongly as possible and we want to take as many points as we possibly can from the remaining four [games].”
Injuries
It’s relatively good news on the injury front for Liverpool with Ceri Holland returning to part training after picking up an injury in the most recent international break.
Whiteley said: “Ceri’s been back in part training this week so we need to see how she reacts over today and tomorrow’s session but she’s been looking good.”
However Julia Bartel picked up a knock in training that needs to be further assessed.
Whiteley said: “Julia came out of in the early part of training today so we need to see where she’s at.
“It wasn’t anything too serious but it was enough to bring her out of the session.”
Long-term goals
With the end of the season approaching Whiteley detailed her long-term goals to take into next season.
She said: “It’s about continual improvement.
“It’s about every day when you come into this building for training you want to be better and I think if you do that then that change comes over a period of time.
“It’s about those gradual improvements and improving consistently.
“That’s going to be the measure over a longer period of time.”
Fan support
Whiteley praised the traveling support from the Liverpool fans during the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
She said: “It’s huge, I thought the fans were incredible on Saturday we heard them in full voice all the way through the game.”
“It was tough for us and they make a huge difference so we need them in full voice every single week.
“Their support means absolutely everything to us.”
Maintaining moral
Only four games remain in Liverpool’s season and only four points separating 5th and 9th place, the Reds will need to maintain moral and focus.
Whiteley said: “I don’t have to work too hard in that respect because we have a driven group of players here who want to come in and be better every single day.
“It’s about maintaining that standard and putting absolutely everything into these last four.
“Come the last day of the season if we do that we can be where we want to be.”
