Simone Magill says derby scalp can boost Everton's seasonThe Toffees meet Liverpool for the first time since their Continental Tyres Cup defeat last yearSimone Magill believes victory over Merseyside rivals Liverpool would kickstart Everton’s season as the two teams collide in the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup on Saturday.
The Toffees’ return to action after the month-long break ended on a low note last weekend after Charlotte Kerr’s brilliant winner sent all three points Watford’s way in Women’s Super League 2.
Prior to that result Everton had not lost since March – a run that extended through six games – and they now have a chance to right some wrongs in Widnes against familiar foes, having bolstered their squad with the signings of forwards Rosella Ayane and Chloe Kelly on Thursday.
The last time the two sides clashed was in the Continental Tyres Cup last year, with Natasha Dowie scoring a double in a 2-0 Liverpool victory.
But Northern Ireland striker Magill says her side will be looking to avenge that defeat with a win that could have a knock-on effect and boost their promotion campaign in WSL 2.
“There’s always more of an incentive when it’s Liverpool. These derby games are the ones you look forward to playing in,” said Magill, whose side are currently third in the league.
“They are the big games and some of our girls won’t have played in them before but it’s a big occasion.
“With them in WSL 1 and us in WSL 2, it would be a massive boost to get something from the game. It would be a massive confidence boost for us to take into the league which is our main focus of the season.
“I would say (to new players) to focus on the game not on the occasion, it’s a great experience it’s something I looked forward to when I joined the club.”
Liverpool have won just two of eight games in WSL 1 but have shown signs of improvement either side of the mid-season break by holding leaders Manchester City to two draws.
Sunday’s 1-1 draw saw Rosie White become the first player to score against City in the league this season and midfielder Caroline Weir insists her side must now keep the momentum up.
“We had a tough start to the season and it took us a little bit of time to gel but that’s going to happen with so many new players,” admitted Weir. “We are only going to get better as the season goes on. I think we’ve surprised a couple of teams already.
“Past games don’t really matter when it’s a derby, and I’m really excited to play in my first one against Everton with Liverpool – there’s a huge rivalry there.
“We’re all looking forward to it but we know how tough a game it’s going to be, no matter what league we’re in. “I like the new cup format, it feels like more of a cup competition with the knockouts and makes it a bit more exciting – we really want to do well.”
