Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has been praised for his “really impressive gesture” ahead of the first Women’s Super League Merseyside derby of the season. Liverpool Women welcome Everton Women to Anfield on Sunday (2pm kick-off) after both rivals made encouraging starts to the new campaign.
Iraola to attend Anfield clash
The Reds men’s first-team boss will be in attendance at the Sky Sports-live clash, along with his family, an act appreciated by Liverpool Women’s head coach Gareth Taylor.
“I think it's a really nice gesture from him, because I'm expecting him during the international break to be on his holidays,” Taylor said. “But for him to be coming to our game, bringing his family, bringing his children, I think it speaks volumes of that support. And you're right, I just think it is a really big positive step for us.”
Taylor hails club alignment
Taylor added that the gesture brings interest and alignment, stressing that men’s and women’s football are the same game. “We work so hard in our own fields that sometimes you don't get the opportunity to go and take a coffee with Andoni and vice versa. So, this is a really impressive gesture for me and I think that's the way I look at it.”
He also said he would like to meet Iraola and “steal a few ideas”, noting that support from other areas of the club is “really important”.
Liverpool and Everton form
Liverpool go into the game on the back of a 4-2 home win over Sunderland in the Subway Players Cup at the St Helens Stadium on Wednesday. Summer signing Natalia Ramos scored her first goal for the club in that victory and said playing at Anfield will be “incredible”.
Liverpool have taken four points from their first three Women’s Super League matches, with a 4-0 win at Charlton Athletic, a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur and a 4-2 loss at Manchester City.
Everton are in better form, having beaten Birmingham City 2-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday in the Subway Players Cup thanks to goals from Zara Kramzar and Yuka Momiki. That made it three wins in a row for the Blues, who lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace on the opening weekend before winning 1-0 at home to Charlton and 1-0 away to West Ham United.
Everton Women head coach Scott Phelan said: “To win three games on the bounce is an achievement that should not be taken lightly.” He added that the team have done well out of possession and that the WSL “has always been competitive, but this season feels even more so”.
“We are happy with our start - this is the most important thing. Hopefully, Sunday can add to that,” Phelan said. “It is something that is part of the calendar in our city. We hope we can make Evertonians proud on Sunday.”
