The pressure is on, says Matt Beard as WSL’s Merseyside derby heads to Anfield

Liverpool boss Matt Beard admits a packed Anfield might fire up nerves however insists his aspect are greater than ready for Sunday’s stand-out showdown with Everton.

The Women’s Super League contest will mark the primary time the newly-promoted Reds have performed a Merseyside derby on the Premier League floor since 2019.

But Beard believes any impression the large stage might need will have an effect on either side equally.

“It’s a different occasion playing at Anfield, that’s going to put added pressure on to us a little bit, but then also Everton because they’re coming to one of the most iconic stadiums in football,” he mentioned.

“The Merseyside derby, there’s pressure on both teams, it’s live on TV, and there’s an anticipated big crowd there, so it’s special for both teams. We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves.

“I think once the whistle goes and they cross that white line, I’ve got every faith and confidence in the group that we can put in a good performance and work like we did the other day.”

Liverpool opened their season with a 2-1 upset of defending champions Chelsea, who’re going for a fourth straight title this marketing campaign.

The final Merseyside derby was received 1-0 by Everton thanks to a long-range effort from Lucy Graham, who will captain her aspect on Sunday in entrance of a sold-out Anfield away finish.

“All the players, all the staff, know how much it means to win a derby in this city,” she mentioned on Instagram reside.

“I think the players who have been brought in now know that this game is a huge game and it’s one on the calendar that’s come quick in our season.

“We’re quite thankful for that because it will really give us a taste for that fight, where you have to find it in yourself to really roll your sleeves up and battle. It should be a real springboard for us to reach those heights further on in the season as well.”

Manchester City will journey to a sold-out Kingsmeadow to face defending champions Chelsea on Sunday, with either side wanting to decide up their first factors of the season.

Conti Cup holders City skilled an enormous turnover of gamers in the course of the summer season and their 4-3 loss to Villa to open the season prompt the brand new recruits want extra time to gel.

Boss Gareth Taylor, nevertheless, didn’t see both City’s or Chelsea’s opening day outcomes as upsets.

“The game is never played on paper,” he mentioned. “People assume beforehand that the game’s done and dusted, but we’ve seen the levels really rise in the WSL. Everyone is improving.

“We are a new group of players that are adapting to each other and there has been quite an element of change, but we’re comfortable with that and we know that eventually we’ll come out the other side and be in a really good place.”

Blues boss Emma Hayes could possibly be with out midfielder Pernille Harder due to a hamstring challenge.

Chelsea loved various sold-out matches final season and Hayes is delighted to see different groups beginning to see their very own boosts on the field workplace.

“I’m just so happy to hear about the increases in attendances across the board, because the league has to be strong for everyone,” she mentioned.

“I think we just need to keep thinking about the support we give every club to make sure they can keep fulfilling their own objectives and we can grow to the next space in the game.”

Brighton and Reading will each hope to decide up their first factors of the season once they meet.

Manchester United, who beat the Royals 4-0 final weekend, journey to West Ham, whereas Leicester host Aston Villa.