Andy Spence is determined to earn Merseyside bragging rights after Everton were drawn against Liverpool in a mouthwatering SSE Women’s FA Cup fifth-round tie.
The north west heavyweights have faced off several times in recent years, with Everton overpowering the Reds in their last Cup meeting in 2014 on route to the Final.
And Everton boss Spence is convinced his players will leave nothing in the tank as they look to find a way past their local rivals once more on Sunday.
He said: “We’ve faced Liverpool a few times in the Cup over the last few years and we’ve always competed really well.
“We won 2-0 in 2014 and last year we played them in the Continental Cup and although we got beat 1-0 we performed really well.
“It’s a game we’re looking forward to. It’s a derby game and the players always look forward to an Everton-Liverpool game.
Spence added: “Liverpool are a great team but we’ll just go with confidence of knowing we’ve done well in the Cup so far and we’ve got some good games under our belt, and we’ll really look forward to it.”
Everton won their fourth-round clash against Durham on penalties, with defender Danielle Turner donning the gloves after Kirstie Levell was taken off injured at half-time.
Goals from Michelle Hinnigan and Megan Finnigan forced the tie to extra time and spot-kicks, after Rebecca Salicki and Beth Hepple gave Durham the lead.
Turner, who kept a clean sheet in the second half and throughout extra time, was part of the Everton side that were beaten by Arsenal in the Final three years ago.
And the latest SSE Women’s FA Cup player of the round had a feeling that a clash against the Reds was on the cards.
“It was inevitable,” the 25-year-old said. “After the Durham game, we were discussing who it would be and I said Liverpool straight away.
“It seems to happen every single year that we draw them in a cup somewhere along the line.
“There’s no bigger motivation than a local derby, it is always one of my favourite games.
“No disrespect to Brighouse Town [who Everton beat in the third round] and Durham, but it’s a step up again. They are the games we relish and we’re excited for.
“When we got to the Final three years ago it was great for the club. Winning breeds confidence and we just want to go as far as we can.
“It was one of the best feelings of my career so far, even though we didn’t win the game.
“And now the Final is at Wembley, it’s even more of a prize.”
