Although winning the league title for a third year in a row looks to be beyond Liverpool, goalkeeper Libby Stout believes her side can still end the season with silverware by lifting the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup.
The Reds are 10 points behind WSL 1 leaders Chelsea with four games remaining, but three wins out of three in the cup leaves them in the driving seat to progress from Group Two to the quarter-final stage.
Liverpool v Sunderland
FA WSL Continental Cup
Group 2
Select Security Stadium
6.30pm Wednesday 26 August 2015
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Victories over Doncaster, Durham and rivals Everton have come without Stout conceding a goal.
And, as they prepare to welcome Sunderland to the Select Security Stadium on Wednesday, Stout says Liverpool’s focus is on continuing their progress in a competition they hope to win.
“Hopefully we can beat Sunderland and Manchester City and reach the quarter-finals,” said Stout, whose team drew 2-2 with the Black Cats in their league meeting earlier this month.
“I think we can expect a similar match to the last one with Sunderland, but hopefully we can put more chances away this time. We were unlucky not to win last time on chances created.
“It will be tough, they will have confidence from Beth Mead’s performances and their excellent league position.
“So far in the Continental Tyres Cup we have played WSL 2 teams, but they have still been tests for us. I personally have missed getting shut-outs, so that’s been good for us in this competition.
“It’s a competition we feel we can win, absolutely. The cup competitions are where our focus is.”
Sunderland's Brooke Chaplen
Sunderland midfielder Brooke Chaplen though, says her team have similar goals this term.
The Black Cats have lost just once since April in all competitions and are firmly in contention to win the WSL 1 title.
But advancing in the Continental Tyres Cup is also high on their list of priorities.
“This competition is important to us, said Chaplen.
“It gives us a chance to get to a final and who wouldn’t want that? So these games are as important to us as the league games. We want to win and progress from the group stages.
“We were not at our best when we played Liverpool at home in the league and we know there is lots we can do better.
“I don’t think Liverpool can be discounted from still having a strong end to the season. It’s so close in terms of ability that I think anyone can catch up with a good run of form. I think come the end of the league season you will find there will not be too much difference in points between first and fifth place.
“Carlton Fairweather has done well to utilise the squad. We’ve managed to use different players at different times without there being wholesale changes. Everyone will probably feel as though they have had a rest.”
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