Liverpool Ladies are currently failing to live up to their championship winning form so far this season but will look to bounce back from defeat to Chelsea last time out, on Sunday against last year’s Continental Cup winners Manchester City.
City have picked up four points from their opening three games, falling to their first defeat of the season last week against Arsenal Ladies.
The last time these two sides met was in July last year where Krystle Johnston’s deflected first-half strike ensured the Blues picked up all three points.
But the visitors will have to try and replicate last season’s success without influential defender Jill Scott who is suspended following her red card against the Gunners.
Nick Cushing spoke about who will replace Scott saying, “There is an opportunity for someone, who that player will be will be dictated by who applies themselves in training. “
Cushing’s side will, however, have a player returning from suspension and keeper Karen Bardsley is likely to be reinstated straight back in to the squad following her ban.
The Reds could welcome back Nicole Rosler after she has recovered from a thigh strain, but striker Ashley Hodson is still out injured.
After Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea last week they only have one win from three in the WSL 1 and are currently 5th in the league. But captain Gemma Bonner believes her side are more than capable of showing their worth.
“I don’t think we’ve put any extra pressure on ourselves, I think it’s just the pressure that comes from having the tag of champions,” said Bonner.
“Everyone plays us and wants to beat us but that’s normal when you win the league two seasons in a row.
“But I think the Birmingham victory showed that it’s starting to come together for us as a team.”
