Nicoline Sorensen lifts lid on fulfilling Merseyside…

Nicoline Sorensen lifts lid on fulfilling Merseyside derby dream and makes Everton top four vow

Everton forward Nicoline Sorensen says she is relishing the chance to face Liverpool in her first ever Merseyside derby this week

The Denmark international joined the Blues from Brondby in July 2020, with the opportunity to play in high-profile games such as the derby one of the key factors that lured her to Walton Hall Park. Liverpool's relegation to the Championship - coupled with Sorensen's prolonged absence after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) - means she has had to wait patiently to be in contention to feature against Everton's city rivals.

The 25-year-old watched from the sidelines as Brian Sorensen's side took on Liverpool at Anfield back in September, when goals from Megan Finnigan, Jess Park and Hanna Bennison helped the Blues to a comprehensive victory in front of a 27,000-strong crowd. And now, nearly four months after her return from injury, Sorensen is hoping she can help Everton triumph over the Reds for a second time this season, this time at Goodison Park.

"The fact I couldn't play at Anfield probably just makes me more excited for this game," Sorensen told the ECHO. "It’s something that I was looking forward to when I signed here - to play in the Merseyside derby - and now I’m finally going to get the chance to do so, so I can’t wait.

"I’ve played at Goodison twice before, once with no fans and once with about 6,000 fans so hopefully we can beat that record. I’m so excited for the game and for all the fans to come and support us. Hopefully it will be a great night.

"Liverpool had a great result against Tottenham but there’s more in these games than just football and three points. They will want to win just as badly as we want to win."

Despite being sidelined for more than 14-months, Sorensen has been in impressive form since making her comeback against Arsenal in December, notching three assists in eight games. But while the Dane is enjoying being back out the pitch, she admits she's still having to readjust to the relentless tempo of the Women's Super League.

"I’ve been able to feel a little bit that I have been away," she said. "In the first couple of games I felt like I was flying because I had no expectations.

"The last few months have been a bit more challenging because I’m expecting more of myself and I’m trying not to be too hard on myself. Overall though, it’s great to be back and I’ve been surprised how close I feel to being back to my best, considering where I came from.

"I just have to get the balance between being patient but also pushing myself at the same time."

Sorensen is one of a number of Everton players to have impressed in the club's first season under Danish coach Brian Sorensen. The Blues are currently sixth in the league, with just one defeat in their last six games, and there is a sense this is only the beginning for Everton's talented young squad.

"We’re in a process as a team where it takes time for us to be really consistent and that’s what we’re working towards," Sorensen said. "It’s been a great season so far and we want to end as close to the top four as we possibly can and that’s not over until the season is over.

"We really want to get as much as we can out of the games that are left. I think we’ve improved a lot over the course of the season but we’ve got a lot to still improve on as well."

She added: "The thing about the WSL is that everyone can beat everyone so we really need to perform every single weekend. On paper we should be able to compete in and win a lot of our upcoming games and that’s what we’re going to try to do."

Everton and Liverpool will face off in the WSL Merseyside derby at Goodison Park at 7.30pm on Friday March 24. Tickets are now on general sale. You can find out more here.

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