1 England legend Casey Stoney partnering Gemma Bonner in the heart of defence…
The decorated centre-back was Liverpool Ladies FC's first signing of the winter window and is looking forward to the Spring Series. She says: “It means that you can try things. It also allows new players time to gel and time to get your philosophy in place while at the same time not giving too much away.
“Overall it will be important for players to get minutes under their belts and find out what works for their team and I’m sure our manager Scott Rogers will have the same ideas. For us as players, its about getting that playing time and obviously we’ve got the Euros in the summer so it’s an opportunity to get that game time and put yourself in contention for selection. It’s going to be an exciting season ahead. There are four or five teams there who can really compete and I believe we will be one of them.”
2 Talented youngsters being handed first-team opportunities...
Manager Scott Rogers believes the Spring Series will be the ideal platform to blood some of the club's promising younger players. “How often do you get a free go at giving some of the younger players a chance to sample competitive first-team football? There’s no doubt that we have some talented young players. How close to playing first-team football on a regular basis are they? It could be two weeks, two months, two years, but this gives us that chance to have a look at them.
Our Under-16s have won their league without dropping a point and the Development Squad [reserves] haven’t lost a game all year, but can those girls perform to the same level in senior women’s football? We now have an opportunity to have a look at one or two of them and also to move one or two of the U16s up into the Development Squad. As a football club we have a responsibility to push our players on to the next level.”
3 The games being keenly contested…
Liverpool Ladies and England left-back Alex Greenwood is one of three Reds players to be named in the England squad for this summer's European Championships in Holland. The Scouser is returning to fitness after an ankle-ligament injury and is determined to show her form.
She says: “Club football is massively important but you also want to play for your country. Some people are saying the Spring Series is a friendly competition, but I won't be treating it like that because I’ve got to prove that I’m good enough to be on that plane. I also want to repay the faith our manager Scott Rogers showed in me while I was out injured.”
4 The supremely skilful Scotland Player of the Year…
It's not just Liverpool FC's men who have a magician wearing the number 10 shirt. Scotland's 2016 Player of the Year Caroline Weir enjoyed a fine first season at Liverpool FC in 2016, finishing as top scorer and also being voted Fans' Player of the Year. The 21-year-old also won the Goal of the Season award after chipping in with several contenders. She was at it again in pre-season with a wonder-strike against Hibernian!
5 LFC Official Members getting in free!
That's right. As part of your LFC Official Membership you can access all of Liverpool Ladies FC's Spring Series home games free of charge. To see some of the best players in women's football in action against Reading FC Women, Sunderland AFC Ladies and Manchester City Women FC, simply present your Membership Card at the turnstiles and walk on in. All matches will be played at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.
Liverpool Ladies FC play Reading FC Women at the Select Security Stadium tonight (Friday 28 April), kick-off 7pm. Then they're at home to Sunderland AFC Ladies on 17 May, again kick-off 7pm. And you can find all the fixtures here.
