Liverpool focused on creating “moments into chances” with FA Cup Merseyside Derby ahead

Liverpool FC Women’s manager, Gareth Taylor looked ahead to the team’s upcoming Adobe Women’s FA Cup Clash fifth round against Everton this weekend.

Speaking at a press conference, Taylor addressed how his squad are preparing for the fixture, his expectations for the game and the rest of the WSL season and updated any individual player news. 

To have a Merseyside derby so early on in the competition is a tough challenge for both sides. Taylor’s Reds execute their tactical plan perfectly to progress into the hat for the quarter final.   

Despite pressure from a Merseyside Derby, is it nice to get away from pressure from the league this weekend?

“No, I think there's always an element of pressure regardless of the competition you're in. Of course, I think the FA Cup is a magical competition where you have the opportunity to progress to the final stages and I think there doesn't need to be any type of motivation for these types of games particularly when playing against rivals. I think players want to go out and win the game that’s in front of them and that’s certainly no different regardless of the competition or who we are playing against.”

What getting to the quarter finals of the FA Cup would mean to Taylor:

“I think it would be big, I mean most competitions now are really difficult to win such as stages within so for us it's a good opportunity. I think that in the next period after the international break we don't want a free weekend, we want to be in a quarter final of the FA Cup. We know the challenges in front of us but it's a good home tie for us, our fans are right behind us and we’re looking forward to it.”

Taylor on how the new players are feeling towards the FA Cup Clash:

“I think that they understand what it means to play for this football club and they understand the importance of these types of games, so I don't think there needs to be any type of education on that front and all the players are really up to speed on it.” 

What improvements Taylor would like to see further within his team:

“I feel like we're now getting more final third returns, so I think when you look at set players, it's a big part of the modern-day game. We always do a set piece review after every game, as well as a game review and our set play review, particularly from an attacking sense, meetings have been a lot bigger and that's because we've been having more final third action.

I always felt before Christmas we were building quite well in the first two phases and when it got to the final part we would make a poor decision, we still have many areas to improve on but I feel like being a top threat further on the pitch is always going to be icing on the cake that were looking for.”

On Everton's current form:

“They have been successful and honestly Scott has come in and given them a platform to build from. I think like most teams, we’ll always look at what they do well and certain areas we can exploit.”

On Beata Olsson’s return to the squad:

“Beata is fit and ready to go, I think when she came on in the Manchester United game she was really limited on what she could do and the guys did a good job on getting her back to be available from that short period she had. 

We have options now at the top end of the pitch and of course we always look at the opposition and who's going to be key for us. Beata has been working hard, and I think it was really unfortunate at the start of the year in the first few training sessions that she caught an ankle injury.

I feel in this next period, regardless of what happens, I think Beata is in a similar place of where she was before Christmas where we have her on international break, which we can then get some really good returns from her in her training because we really saw key performances from her.”

Has Gareth Taylor seen any differences through the change of Everton?

“I would suggest they are probably a little bit more rigid in their formation, particularly in their defensive formation. I think that they have probably given away less and they have had their moments. I think it makes sense, the way that they have been a little bit more pragmatic and trying to hit teams on the break a little bit, as they drop deep and try to expose teams in attacking transition. I think for us we have a real awareness of that and how we could potentially hurt them.”

How Taylor is feeling to use adjustments in the attack in contrast to the opening game of the season:

“Just by doing what we've been doing recently, we scored 6 goals in the last 2 home games, when you look at the Tottenham game and the context of it we had good opportunities. Similarly to creating chances against Chelsea last week, and we need to create moments into chances. I think it's really hard to compare that game to where we are now, again in the FA Cup you have to like any competition that you’re playing in you have to earn the right to win and be in the competition. I feel like performances are really important for us.”

Taylor on building improvement towards upcoming fixtures: 

“I think creating high standards in our workplace and on the training ground, I think that the playing group feels different now it's been supported more from the January window and again that needs to continue regardless. Players are always gonna be something really key for any football club let alone ours, so I just feel that high standards and being demanding of how we are and what we do.  

Does that always mean we are going to win? No, I think when I look back at the Chelsea game last week, we never like to lose, we feel we can do more in a game but it feels like an acceptable loss and what I mean by that, is that we still played our way and to our style and played in the way that we train. The final bit was missing in both boxes, so defensively there were chances given away where we could be better, and certainly at the top end of the pitch we needed to make more of the ball that we had. I think we were really aware of where our flaws were, both physically and quality.”

With the FA Cup clash against Everton on Sunday, Liverpool will be hoping to turn their preparation into performance and showcase their quality against an in-form Everton side.