Gareth Taylor: “I Think It Was About Getting The Job Done Today”

St Helens Stadium, Sunday evening – Liverpool Women booked a place in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 Merseyside derby victory over Everton, yet the triumph was tempered by an early injury to match-winner Mia Enderby and a nervy finale that saw the Reds concede an unfortunate own goal.

Enderby struck the opener inside the opening quarter-hour, only to be stretchered off moments later with what manager Gareth Taylor later described as a possible kneecap dislocation. The setback forced a reshuffle, with Beata moved to an unfamiliar right-sided role, but Liverpool still reached the interval two goals to the good. Everton’s reply came courtesy of goalkeeper Jennifer Falk’s second-half own goal, setting up a tense conclusion that tested the hosts’ resolve.

Speaking after the final whistle, Taylor did not gloss over the imperfections. “I didn’t think we were great first half if I’m being honest. We were happy to be 2-0 at half-time, I’ll be honest,” he admitted. “But I was just really pleased with the second-half performance and the way we fought, showed some quality at times.”

The manager praised his squad’s attitude amid a campaign already littered with off-field challenges. “The group give a lot, they’re really humble, honest and open to learning,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of tough moments this season, things that have gone against us on and off the pitch, but you can see now we’re starting to come into a little bit more confidence, a little bit more fight and endeavour.”

Taylor confirmed Enderby had returned to the dressing room on crutches and initial fears of a serious ligament injury appear to have eased. “Hopefully she seems to be OK,” he said, while acknowledging the forward’s absence further limits attacking options with Alice Bergstrom also unavailable.

Attention now turns to Monday’s draw, which will pair Liverpool with one of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City or the winners of London City Lionesses v Tottenham Hotspur. The quarter-final ties are scheduled for the weekend of 5 April. “An easier one would be nice!” Taylor joked, before underlining the importance of securing a home tie at St Helens, where the crowd once again played its part. “It’s great because we have the fans behind us.”

For now, the Reds can savour derby delight and a place among the last eight. As Taylor succinctly put it: “I think it was about getting the job done today.”