Blanchard: Liverpool Game An Opportunity To Bounce Back
- LCFC Women take on Liverpool Women in the FA Women's Championship on Sunday (2pm kick-off)
- City come into the game off the back of a 2-2 draw at home to Durham
- Annabel Blanchard says the Liverpool fixture presents a good opportunity to bounce back
- The midfielder is in contention to play against her former club after missing Leicester's last three matches with a knee injury
After a 2-2 draw with Durham last Sunday, City sit fifth in the FA Women's Championship standings, five points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game less than their next opponents.
With both sides yet to be beaten going into the fixture, it presents an opportunity for Leicester to put down a marker against one of the early pace setters.
Speaking to LCFC.com earlier this week, Blanchard admitted that the team feel there needs to be an improvement in the performance level when the Merseyside club visit Quorn.
“We’re disappointed with the result against Durham because we didn’t play to the best of our ability," the 19-year-old said.
"But the game at the weekend is a good opportunity to bounce back because that’s what big games are for.
“It’s not going to be the same without any fans there but obviously we know the pitch, we play half of our games there.
"Playing at home is always an advantage but we won’t be overthinking anything like that."
Blanchard came through Liverpool's Academy, making her senior debut at the club in 2018 before signing for the Foxes ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Following a spell on the sidelines, during which she missed City's last three games, Blanchard could now come up against her former side this weekend.
LCFC Women 2 Durham 2
Highlights from the Foxes' dramatic draw with Durham in the FA Women's Championship.
She believes everyone is fully aware of the qualities that the two-time Women's Super League champions will pose.
“Obviously they are going to be a strong side, but we back ourselves to compete with them," the England youth international continued.
"They played in the WSL last season so we expect them to be playing quick, playing fast, but we’ve been working hard all week and we’re confident going into the game.
“Being injured is really frustrating but it’s a part of the game, I’ve had to get my head around it.
"I’ve been working in rehab and I’ve done a bit of training this week so we’ll see how it goes for the rest of the week.
“I’ve been supporting the girls all I can as we’re all the team and whether you’re on the pitch or not, everyone is supporting each other and that’s the main thing."
Blanchard expects the Foxes to continue improving as the season progresses and doesn't feel that the current league position reflects the true quality within the squad.
“It’s hard with new players coming in and everyone getting to know each other," she added.
"Everyone’s got different styles of play but we’ve all been listening to the manager and listening to what he wants us to do.
"We’re all still gelling and it takes time but with everyone listening to each other and asking questions, we feel that we can only get better.”