'Duo return is massive lift for Ladies'
Fara Williams has welcomed the huge boost that returning stars Nicole Rolser and Lucy Staniforth will give to the Liverpool Ladies team in the 2015 campaign as they bid to win a third successive Women's Super League title.
After crashing out of the Women's FA Cup at Birmingham on Sunday, Matt Beard's side hope to bounce back to winning ways as they face Sunderland in their opening top-flight game at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes at 7.45pm GMT tonight.
Having won back-to-back Super League titles, Williams and co are aiming for what would be a special hat-trick this term, and they enter the new season boosted by the return of Rolser and Staniforth.
Staniforth spent her debut season on the sidelines through injury, while German ace Rolser only returned from an ACL problem towards the final month of the campaign.
"It's massive to have Nicole back and Lucy is back training again. They are like two new signings for us, so it's great," Williams told Liverpoolfc.com.
"Nicole and Lucy are outstanding players and with the other new signings coming in we will be strong once again this season."
England's most-capped player ever, Williams is hoping the Ladies can get off to a great start against last season's WSL 2 champions, Sunderland.
She added: "It's been a long pre-season but we are excited and can't wait for the start of our title defence. Our target is to try to win a third successive championship.
"We are getting used to playing in front of the live TV cameras with us being champions. Sunderland are newly-promoted and will be eager to show what they are all about, but for us it's important we get off to a good start.
"The WSL 1 v WSL 2 champions is no better way to kick off the new league and it's a great way to start the new season."
Click here to read more about Liverpool Ladies.
Click here to read Beard's latest column.