“The whole campaign has been stop-start, to be honest,” she
admits. “We have had games off because of waterlogged pitches,
another off because of Storm Ciara, the regular international breaks
in the women’s game and the suspension of the league.
“So it’s been a tough season but we remain focused on finishing
it as strongly as we possibly can once we get back out there on the
grass.”
The Reds’ home for the remainder of the season is set to be
Chester FC and prior to the decision to suspend the FA WSL, they
had been familiarising themselves with the environment at the Deva
Stadium.
“The facilities at Chester are very good and I think you could see
how much the girls enjoyed playing in those surroundings when we
took on Arsenal in February,” continues Vicky.
“We lost that game 3-2 but the pleasing aspect was that we have
looked like having a good goal-threat going forward in recent
matches.
“Since Rachel Furness came in during the winter transfer-window,
she’s given us a fearless edge and I think we have more belief that
we can score goals now.
“That Arsenal game was our first at Chester and I think everything
about the way they accommodated us and looked after everything
was just what we need.
“During the international break in late February and early March
we played a couple of friendlies there which helped us become
more familiar with playing on the pitch which will be important if it’s
to be our base for the remainder of the season.”
Northern Ireland international Furness scored both Liverpool goalsThe Reds are delighted to have set-piece
expert Christie Murray available againVicky Jepson says Liverpool FC Women will be ready to give
their all whenever the team returns to action.
With the Barclays FA Women’s Super League currently suspended
due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Reds prop up the table after a
4-2 defeat at West Ham United on 22 February saw them drop into
the division’s single relegation position.
However, with five of the Reds’ eight remaining fixtures scheduled
to take place at home and one of the other games being a
Merseyside derby at Everton, the boss says her squad has a real
desire to ensure they stay among the elite of women’s football in
England.
“First and foremost everybody’s health comes first and we hope
that all Liverpool supporters are staying safe at this difficult time,”
says Vicky.
“Following medical advice Liverpool FC Women shut down our
training base, with the players continuing their fitness programmes
at home until it is safer for us to come back together. As much as
we can’t wait to play our next game, everyone’s health and well-
being is paramount.
“Of course we don’t know right now when we will resume playing
football, but whenever that is the girls will be giving everything to
stay in this league. It won’t be easy because we have games to play
against some very good teams, but I firmly believe that we will stay
in this league.
“The way we are looking at it, we have eight cup finals ahead of
us.”
One way or another it has been an extremely challenging season
for Jepson and her squad.