DERBY? IT’S JUST GAME OF FOOTBALL

LIVERPOOL manager Matt Beard has told his stars to play the game and not the occasion ahead of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby.

Anfield is expected to welcome its biggest crowd for a women’s fixture when the Reds take on Everton. Yet Beard wants them to treat the game like any other.

Liverpool made a tremendous start to their WSL campaign by beating champions Chelsea 2-1 at Tranmere’s Prenton Park last Sunday. Beard (below) said: “There’s no change to our approach. Obviously we’re playing against a team with a different system to the way Chelsea played, so we’ll adapt to how they play.

“We just really want to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we hit the areas we need to hit to win football matches. It’s a different occasion playing at Anfield. It’s going to put added pressure on us but it’s the same for Everton.

“They’re coming to one of the most iconic stadiums in football and it’s a Merseyside derby. It’s live on TV with a big crowd there, so it puts pressure on both teams.”

Everton lost their opener 1-0 to West Ham. Facing Liverpool at Anfield is an even greater challenge, but Toffees boss Brian Sorensen believes his players can handle the pressure.

Sorensen said: “As soon as the game starts, they are focused.”

Everton have sold out their allocation for the derby and Sorensen hopes the visiting fans can inspire them to victory.

He said: “There will be a lot of Evertonians so hopefully we can hear them. A lot of Liverpudlians will be there too.

“The atmosphere around the game is really good.”