Match Preview: LCFC Women vs. Liverpool Women

LCFC Women
17 Apr 2021
4 Minutes
LCFC Women host Liverpool Women in the Vitality Women's FA Cup Fourth Round on Sunday (2pm kick-off).

- LCFC Women take on Liverpool Women in the Vitality Women's FA Cup this weekend
- Sunday's fourth round meeting takes place at Farley Way Stadium (2pm kick-off) 
- City reached the quarter-finals of the 2019/20 FA Cup 
- You can follow all of the action on LCFC Women's social media channels throughout the day

Following the Club's promotion to the Barclays FA Women's Super League two weeks ago, City are now gearing up for the return of the Vitality Women's FA Cup.

Both sides are entering the cup at this stage, with a potential fifth round tie away at Burnley or Manchester United awaiting for the winners.

Here's all you need to know about Sunday's cup clash in Quorn...

The Foxes camp

The Foxes celebrated winning the FA Women’s Championship title following victory over London City Lionesses.

Leicester reached the quarter-finals of last season's competition, beating Super League opposition in Reading before going down 2-1 against eventual winners Manchester City.

The team can also take heart from their run to the last four of the Continental Tyres League Cup this season, when they saw off top flight Birmingham City ahead of a narrow semi-final defeat by Bristol City.

The Foxes will also be aiming to continue a run of five consecutive victories and clean sheets in all competitions. They have won their last 12 in the league.

Ones to watch

Missy Bo Kearns was on target for the Reds the last time they met Leicester.

There are plenty of players to pick out from the Reds' star-studded line-up, which boasts talented individuals with international and WSL experience.

But with Liverpool's top scorer - Northern Ireland midfielder Rachel Furness - likely to be ruled out of Sunday's game through injury, the creative spark may fall on the shoulders of Liverpool-born Missy Bo Kearns.

Following a short loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last season, the 20-year-old quickly became a regular starter this term and has provided three assists and two goals as the England youth international continues to flourish in an attacking role.

Wales international midfielder Ceri Holland has also impressed since her January arrival on Merseyside, contributing three goals and an assist from her first six league fixtures in the Championship. 

Opposition form guide

Liverpool have enjoyed an excellent run of form of late, beating London Bees 3-0 in late February.

Liverpool have been in formidable form of late, winning four of their last five matches, including a 5-0 victory over Coventry United. The Reds also kept four clean sheets during that period, with a 1-1 home draw against Blackburn the only minor blot on their recent copybook.

Amber Whiteley's outfit currently sit fourth in the FA Women's Championship table, level on points with third-placed Sheffield United, who they meet at Technique Stadium in their next league fixture on Sunday 25 April (2pm kick-off).

Talking points

Kirstie Levell has been speaking to LCFC TV ahead of facing Liverpool in the FA Cup.

Manager Jonathan Morgan told LCFC TV: "It’s big for us. We got to the quarter-finals of last season’s FA Cup, so this year, we want to go better than that. We think there’s a real opportunity with the form we’re in. But we’ve got to make sure we’re back to normal, our feet are firmly grounded and the reality is Liverpool are going to want to come and beat us."

Goalkeeper Kirstie Levell commented: "This week, we've got to crack on again for the FA Cup. As a team, we've got a lot to show still and going and playing at Wembley would be the best thing ever. We're high on confidence and I think, right now, give us any team and we'll be ready to take on the challenge." 

Last time out

Paige Bailey-Gayle slid home the opener when the two sides met at Farley Way in October.

Paige Bailey-Gayle and Lachante Paul provided the Leicester goals either side of half-time during Liverpool's last visit to Farley Way Stadium in October 2020. The Foxes marked another 2-1 victory over Sunday's opponents in the reverse fixture, coming from a goal down to take all three points at Prenton Park thanks to Natasha Flint's penalty and the winner from Charlie Devlin.

How to follow

City have confirmed their place in next season’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

Head to LCFC Women's official social media channels to stay across all of the action as it happens on Sunday. Matchday build-up and regular in-game updates can be assessed via Twitter, while there will be plenty more content over on Instagram and Facebook

After the full-time whistle, post-match reaction from the Foxes camp, including interviews and match highlights, will be available on LCFC TV.

All times BST.