Liverpool Women host Everton Women in the first Women's Super League Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield on Sunday, and Reds boss Andoni Iraola will be in attendance with his family
Andoni Iraola will be present at Sunday's Women's Super League Merseyside derby between Liverpool Women and Everton Women at Anfield
Andoni Iraola will be present at Sunday's Women's Super League Merseyside derby between Liverpool Women and Everton Women at Anfield(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Liverpool men's head coach Andoni Iraola has been lauded for his "really impressive gesture" ahead of the opening Women's Super League Merseyside derby of the season.
Liverpool Women play host to Everton Women at Anfield on Sunday (2pm kick-off) in a highly anticipated fixture, with both sides having made promising starts to the new campaign. Reds men's first-team manager Iraola is equally enthused by the prospect. The 44 year old will be present at the Sky Sports-televised clash, accompanied by his family — a gesture warmly welcomed by Liverpool Women's head coach Gareth Taylor, reports the Liverpool Echo.
He said: "I think it's a really nice gesture from him, because I'm expecting him during the international break to be on his holidays. But for him to be coming to our game, bringing his family, bringing his children, I think it speaks volumes of that support. And you're right, I just think it is a really big positive step for us."
"I just think it brings an interest, it brings an alignment. I think it brings, like many things, that it's the same game. We're playing the same game, we all care really, really deeply about the game - whether it's male or female - and we care about each other.
"We work so hard in our own fields that sometimes you don't get the opportunity to go and take a coffee with Andoni and vice versa. So, this is a really impressive gesture for me and I think that's the way I look at it.
"It would be really nice to meet him and hopefully ask a few questions and steal a few ideas.
"Like I say, we're all working tremendously hard in our own specialist role and when you get support from other areas of the club, I think that's really important."
Liverpool will face Everton in the WSL this weekend
Liverpool will face Everton in the WSL this weekend(Image: James Fearn/Getty Images)
Liverpool head into the fixture following a 4-2 victory over Sunderland in the Subway Players Cup at St Helens Stadium on Wednesday. Summer acquisition Natalia Ramos netted her maiden goal for the Reds in that triumph and is eagerly anticipating her first Everton encounter at Anfield.
She commented: "It's going to be incredible. Every game is important here because this is such a big club with a lot of history. We can't wait for this game and it will be very special to play at Anfield in front of our fans and we thank them for their support. We just need to focus and play our game and we want this win."
Liverpool have collected four points from their opening three Women's Super League fixtures, with their initial 4-0 success at Charlton Athletic followed by a 1-1 stalemate against Tottenham Hotspur at home and a narrow 4-2 defeat away to Manchester City.
Everton arrive in superior form. They overcame Birmingham City 2-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday in the Subway Players Cup courtesy of strikes from Zara Kramzar and Yuka Momiki.
That secured a third consecutive victory for the Toffees, who responded to their opening-day 1-0 reverse at Crystal Palace with 1-0 home and away successes against Charlton and West Ham United respectively in the Women's Super League. Everton Women head coach Scott Phelan said: "To win three games on the bounce is an achievement that should not be taken lightly.
"We are looking forward to the game (with Liverpool). We have done well out of possession so far this season, which has been a positive. The WSL has always been competitive, but this season feels even more so.
"We are happy with our start - this is the most important thing. Hopefully, Sunday can add to that.
"It is something that is part of the calendar in our city. We hope we can make Evertonians proud on Sunday. To be the manager is a nice feeling for me and my family."