Liverpool Women’s manager Amber Whiteley is looking forward to the clash against Manchester United at Anfield for their 16th Women’s Super League game of the season.
Under the lights
Whiteley highlighted the importance of fan support for team in their second Anfield match of the season.
She said: “We all want to play on the biggest stages and Anfield is a second home for us.
“We want to pack it out with as many supporters as we can and we’ll need everyone to get right behind us.
“It’s a game very one wants to be a part of- we’ll be wanting to give a good account of ourselves tomorrow night.”
She praised the recent away support and hopes that can be replicated in Anfield.
Whiteley said: “The travelling support away to Palace and Arsenal was brilliant, really help push us on last week in particular against Arsenal it’s going to be a different level on tomorrow night.
“We want the crowd right behind us because that’ll make all the difference.”
Rivalry
Whiteley praised Manchester United’s form in the league this season and expressed ways they plan to combat it.
She said: “Friday night under the lights in Anfield against one of our biggest rivals.
“They’re in a good run of form in the league.
“I think they’ve gone under the radar a little bit this season – been performing really well, not conceding a lot of goals, really direct, and quick on the attack.
“It’ll be a tough test tomorrow night but one that we’re ready for.”
The Reds manager discussed plans to exploit faults in their opponent’s defence.
She said: “There are always opportunities to exploit the opposition, we’ve looked at that throughout the week.
“They’re very aggressive off the ball and when you’re that aggressive off the ball you leave spaces.
“We have to be calm and we have to recognise where the spaces are especially on transitions.”
Injury update
Whiteley shared positive injury news as two key players return.
She said: ““All good on that front – Leanne Kieran has been back in training and Niamh Fahey has been back too.
“It’s just Hannah Silcock that we’re without.”
Game by game
The Liverpool manager stated the teams focus on the present.
She said: “I think it’s important to focus on the here and now the games come thick and fast once you’ve got one boxed off you have to get straight to work on the next.
“We want it to be more threatening in the attack, more balanced in our attacking play we want to be conceding less goals.
“I think we’re starting to see those improvements in the first two games but still there is a lot of work to do.”
Whiteley highlighted their focus on consistency and getting the most out of each game.
She said: “We want to be consistent so we want to keep improving week on week.
“We take real care in our review and we want to keep refining.
“That progress little by little is really important towards the 1% gains soon add up and then you can see the bigger progress when you step back over a longer period of time.”
‘We’re proud of Taylor’
Amber Whiteley shared her thoughts on the Taylor Hinds situation at
Taylor Hinds was subjected to sexually inappropriate abuse from fans during the FA quarter final match against Arsenal.
Whiteley said: “What happened at the game on Sunday is completely unacceptable.
“We’re proud of Taylor for making a stand – it’s important for her and everyone else in the game too.
“We’re really proud of Taylor and we’re right behind her.
“She’s in a good place and we’re focused on the game tomorrow.”
Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield on Friday (March 14) at 19:15pm.
