Lowdown: Ladies set to make UWCL debut
Liverpool Ladies begin their first ever UEFA Women's Champions League campaign at the Select Security Stadium tonight when they face Swedish outfit Linkopings FC.
Matt Beard's side enter the last 32 of the competition having won the Women's Super League title at the end of 2012-13 and the manager is fully aware of the threat posed by his team's first opponents, the Swedish Cup holders.
However, Beard is relishing the opportunity to compete against the best coaches and players in Europe - and insists his side have the capabilities to progress to the latter stages of the competition.
"We can't wait for the game tonight," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "It's obviously going to be a difficult task for us as Linkopings are a quality outfit with some technically gifted footballers. They move the ball well and we will have to be at our best if we are to stop them from playing.
"Having watched quite a few of their games, I am under no illusions as to the tough test facing us, but I have total faith in my players that if we perform to our potential we can take a positive result to Sweden for the second leg."
Beard lavished praise on the support the reigning Women's Super League champions have received this season - and the manager hopes Reds fans continue to turn out in their numbers to support his side tonight.
Tickets for the game in Widnes can be purchased at the turnstiles at the Select Security Stadium for the same value-for-money price as WSL tickets. For more details on purchasing tickets, click here.
Adults can cheer on the team at a cost of £5, while tickets for children and concessions are priced at £2.50, making for an exciting and affordable night out for the whole family.
"All season, whether that be home or away, we have received absolutely fantastic backing from the supporters," said Beard. "They travel up and down the country supporting us and we hope they appreciate how much their support means to myself and the players.
"It is going to be a very big night in the history of Liverpool Ladies as we compete in this competition for the first time ever so hopefully we will get a big crowd to cheer us on in Widnes."
Linkopings FC
Tonight's opponents Linkopings were established in 2003 and compete in the Damallsvenskan - the highest division of Ladies football in Sweden. Here we provide an overview of the visitors...
Stadium: Linkopings Arena
Nickname: LFC
Captain: Charlotte Rohlin
Manager: Martin Sjogren
Honours: Damallsvenskan (Swedish League) winners - 2009; Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup) winners - 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014
Manager - Martin Sjogren
Linkopings boss Sjogren was recently rewarded for his fine work with the side when he put pen to paper on a contract extension last week, prolonging his stay for a further three years. Having formerly worked at Malmo FF, the 37-year-old was appointed coach of Linkopings in 2012. He also worked with the club's U19s.
One to watch - Pernille Harder
Danish striker Harder is a prolific goalscorer and will keep her compatriot Nina Frausing, the Liverpool defender, and company on their toes. Harder started her career with Vfborg and Slovbakken before moving to the Swedish League with Linkopings in 2012. She marked her senior international debut with a hat-trick in Denmark's crushing 15-0 defeat of Georgia in 2009 and has continued to score regularly for club and country since. She earned her 50th cap for Denmark last October.
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