Andy Spence relishing today's 4pm Merseyside Derby

Andy Spence and his Everton Ladies players are relishing the chance to reacquaint themselves with rivals Liverpool this weekend.

The Blue Girls’ relegation from WSL 1 in 2014 means they have not met the Reds in the league for the last two seasons. However, the two sides will lock horns at Halton Stadium in Widnes this Saturday in the Continental Cup.

And Spence insists his side are champing at the bit in anticipation of a keenly-contested Merseyside derby.

“It is a hugely exciting fixture,” he said. “When we knew about the Continental Cup format this year, we knew it was likely we would face a WSL 1 team, so it was nice to get Liverpool.

“We have missed out on these derby games because we have obviously not played them in the league for the last couple of seasons. So to get the opportunity to do so in the Cup is exciting.

“It’s a huge test. Liverpool have recruited well and have a lot of strength throughout their team. From our point of view, we know a lot about their players but perhaps they don’t know as much about us. That might give us a potential advantage.

“The girls have also looked really good in training this week and that always gives you confidence going into a fixture.”

The growth of the women’s game means the number of Scousers in both squads has diminished over the years.

However, with the likes of captain Michelle Hinnigan, plus Centre of Excellence graduates Dan Turner and Ellie Stewart in the ranks, Spence is sure even those not from Merseyside recognise the magnitude of the fixture.

“The number is getting less and less,” he added. “We have managed to recruit a lot of Manchester-based players and we have just taken Londoners Rosella Ayane and Chloe Kelly from Chelsea and Arsenal respectively.

“But we still have plenty of local players who have made sure the message has been heard about how important these games are.

“They have been brought up on these games so they have been making sure the players from elsewhere know that it is a big occasion here on Merseyside.”