Programme notes'It's a big few days for us and we want to put things right'

The Reds host neighbours Everton at St Helens Stadium in the Women’s League Cup this evening, with kick-off 6pm GMT.

Matt Beard’s side head into the game having lost at Manchester United at the weekend and with an added point to prove versus Everton following a narrow Barclays Women’s Super League defeat by the Blues at Goodison Park last month.

A second successive home fixture follows for Fahey and co, with Arsenal the visitors to St Helens in the WSL on Sunday afternoon.

• Get the latest LFC Women ticket details here

“We’re all hurting after Sunday’s result at Manchester United and it’s a big few days for us now as a group as we look to put things right,” the captain writes in her notes for the matchday programme.

“We have to put the weekend’s game behind us and we have an early opportunity to do that against Everton this evening.

“Ahead of this game we still have a chance to make progress to the knockout stages of the Women’s League Cup.

“Manchester United are in the driving seat in the group but it’s important that we just focus on ourselves and make sure we put in a good performance. We can only control what we do, so hopefully we can get the win and that will be enough to reach the knockout stages.

“There were loads of positives to take from our last game in this tournament at Newcastle United a few weeks ago. It was a good game for us to practise our attacking work and I think that was reflected in all the attackers – Mia [Enderby], Kappy [Cornelia Kapocs], Smithy [Olivia Smith] and Leanne [Kiernan] – getting on the scoresheet.

“There was also a fantastic goal from Zara Shaw. What a talent she is. I was delighted for her as she has had a tough road to recovery coming back from an ACL last season, so it was a brilliant moment for her. She’s continued to make strides since she returned to full training, which is really positive.

“It has been well documented that we have had a lot of injuries this season but the flipside to that is that it gives opportunities for young players to come in and make an impact.

“We also saw Maddy Duffy make her first-team debut in the closing stages of Sunday’s game. Like Zara, she and Eva Spencer have done well since stepping up to the senior squad and that’s reflective of the good work that’s going on at our academy.

“This evening we play a Merseyside derby under the lights and we’ll be looking to get a positive result for our supporters, especially given the disappointment of the result at Goodison Park last month.

“We were unfortunate that day with a few calls that probably went against us but we also have to take accountability and make sure that we’re not leaving it down to chance or the rub of the green. Sometimes we can do better in those situations and it’s an area where we need to look at ourselves and improve upon.

“Tonight’s fixture is the dedicated Rainbow Laces game, which is also part of Liverpool Football Club’s Red Together initiative.

“I will be wearing a rainbow captain’s armband this evening and myself and some of the other players will be wearing the laces to show our support and solidarity with LGBT+ players and supporters.

“It’s an important day in the calendar but it’s even more important that we always stick together and support our teammates, fans and anyone else who needs it.”

Get your copy of the programme at St Helens Stadium tonight or order online here.