The SSE Women’s FA Cup has thrown up some pretty tasty quarter final ties this year.
And arguably the most mouth-watering of the lot will come on Merseyside as Liverpool host Chelsea for a place in the last four.
Liverpool have never lifted the Cup – they were runners-up in 1994 (as Knowsley United), 1995 and 1996 while Chelsea claimed the honours in 2015 before losing out to Arsenal the following year.
Emma Hayes’s Blues are top of the FA WSL 1 table and Liverpool skipper Gemma Bonner knows her charges will have their work cut out if they are to progress to the semis.
“Everyone knows what an impressive side Chelsea are and the quality they’ve got throughout the squad,” said the 25-year-old, who joined Liverpool from the west London club in 2012.
“We are under no illusion that it’s going to be a tough game.
“But we will be as prepared as we can be, as we are for every game – if you want to be in these Finals, you want to be successful and you’ve got to beat the best teams along the way.”
Bonner spent almost two years with Chelsea, missing the vital penalty in the 2012 Cup Final against Birmingham City.
Chelsea are an unbeaten force this season, as they sit top of FA WSL 1 having conceded just six goals in the league all campaign and winning eight from eleven games so far.
By contrast, Liverpool are fourth with 18 points from ten matches.
The side have clashed twice this season, Chelsea prevailing on both occasions. The Blues edged a 1-0 league encounter in October before running out 5-1 victors in December’s Continental Tyres Cup quarter final.
Bonner added: “We’ve had mixed games against them this season already.
“We’ve put in a good performance but obviously the one goal made the difference in October.
“It’s now about getting the balance right and getting the goals at the other end when we play them again.”
This season’s Final takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 5 May.
Tickets are already on sale, priced £15 for adults while kids go FREE!
