Manchester City travel to Prenton Park on Sunday for their third-final Women’s Super League clash of the season, against Liverpool.
Despite starting their campaign on the back foot with two losses in two games, City have turned it around and currently sit second in the league table standings. They are just three points behind local rivals United but one ahead of reigning champions Chelsea, who have two games in hand.
Manager Gareth Taylor said: "The players have been in a good moment. The two games we've had after the international break have been really positive, we've put some goals on the board and the performances from the players have been really good so full credit to them.
"Now we move to two away games before finishing off with a final home game. We're in good form and looking forward to these final three games."
They come into the tie from a convincing 4-1 win over Reading last weekend. Although the Blues went behind within a minute of open play, to the complete shock of the Academy Stadium, they came back with a vengeance.
With 37 shots and 13 on target City perhaps could have netted more, but punishment kept on coming through Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp on either flank. They were relentless in charging forward and pinpointing Khadija Shaw in the middle. All three found the back of the net but the fourth goal came from captain Steph Houghton’s perfectly placed free kick.
Taylor continued: "We always back ourselves to score in games, we've got good options at the front end of the pitch and the goal return in the last few games have been really good and that's what we're looking to do: set out and compose ourselves in the game early on and look to control the game as much as we can. We know it will be difficult against a team like Liverpool that usually come out and engage player to player."
The visitors' previous WSL action took place on Wednesday evening in an unfortunate loss to Chelsea. The mid-table side fought hard and took the early lead, they troubled and frustrated the Blues inside their own fortress, refusing to be taken lightly.
"Were looking forward to the challenge on Sunday against a decent Liverpool team who ran Chelsea really close a couple of nights ago. So it will be tough game but one we're looking forward to," said Taylor.
Still, stats don't lie and City have won six of their previous seven meets in the top tier, a 2-1 win in late October was most recent. Shaw gave City the lead in the 21st minute but Katie Stengel equalised and it was 1-1 into the break. Then, Hayley Raso was subbed in and scored the winner within five minutes.
Liverpool welcome City to Prenton Park on Sunday, May 7 kicking off at 2pm and available to watch via the FA Player.
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