The opening game of the WSL 1 season will see last year’s winners Liverpool Ladies take on WSL 2 champions, and newly promoted, Sunderland AFC Ladies.
Liverpool Ladies will be looking to make it three league titles in three seasons as they take on the Black Cats who only lost one game last season, and scored a massive 47 goals.
Liverpool have bolstered their squad over the closed season with the addition of three January signings – Satara Murray, Ingrid Ryland and Line Krogendal Smorsgard – and ‘Africa Women’s Player of the Year’ Asisat Oshoala.
Veteran Liverpool defender Becky Easton says Liverpool’s new signings can excel. She told the WSL website: “Our new signings all look like quality players in training and in our pre-season friendlies, especially Satara Murray.”
She also added that she is looking forward to the opening game of the season: “It should be a great game against Sunderland to kick off the league season. It’s nice to be at home for the first game and hopefully that can play to our advantage.”
The Reds come into the game after losing to Birmingham City Ladies 3-1 in the FA Women’s Cup, so will be looking to get their first win of the season.
However Sunderland striker Beth Mead will be looking to spoil the party and pick up where she left off in the WSL 2 having scored 59 goals in two seasons.
Brand new signing for the Lady Black Cats Brooke Chaplen will also be hoping to make a positive start having just completed a move from Liverpool’s local rivals Everton Ladies.
When speaking to the WSL website, Sunderland AFC Ladies defender Hayley Sharpe said her side were looking forward to the challenge against the league champions.
“We’re the underdogs but we’re ready for the challenge and it will be a great opportunity to see what we can do.”
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