'This team has showed great character and I'm proud of them'
Amber Whiteley praised the spirit and togetherness of the Liverpool FC Women team as they aim to claim runners-up spot in the FA Women's Championship.
The Reds bring their season to a close on Sunday as they host London City Lionesses in a 2pm BST kick-off at Prenton Park.
Last weekend's dramatic 1-0 win at Sheffield United extended LFC Women's unbeaten league run to seven matches and they sit one point behind second-placed Durham in the table.
Ahead of the campaign's conclusion, we caught up with interim manager Whiteley to reflect on the victory against the Blades and the encouraging signs she sees for 2021-22…
On the hard-fought 1-0 win over Sheffield United…
We were really thrilled with the win. It wasn't our best performance but I was pleased with the spirit that we showed and we managed to get it over the line, which was the most important thing.
On Rylee Foster being the hero at the end with a penalty save in stoppage time, and then being stretchered off after receiving a head injury…
I needed a strong drink and a lie down after that game! The penalty save from Rylee right at the very end was the match-winner. Rylee made a fantastic double save and she is doing OK. She is having a CT scan just to make sure there wasn't any other damage apart from concussion, but she is doing well. You rely on your goalkeepers to be there in the big moments and she certainly was there for us on Sunday.
On aiming for second spot on Sunday with the final game against London City Lionesses…
It would be huge if we could pip Durham to second place. I think at one point they were 10 points ahead of us, so I think it would be a big message to the team as well that anything is possible, and we just have to keep focusing on one game at a time.
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On the challenge posed by London City Lionesses…
The game away from home was a close one and we expect them to be really well organised with and without the ball. It will be a tough task on Sunday but one we will be ready for.
On how much she has enjoyed the challenge of being interim manager…
I've loved every minute and that's down to the people I work with every day, the players and the staff. It's a pleasure to work alongside them and look after them. I would like to say huge thanks to the board for giving me an opportunity and it has been a brilliant journey.
On the lessons learned by the team this season so they can grow stronger next term…
I hope one of the biggest lessons that the group take on board is the importance of the collective. It's not about 11 players or individuals, it's about every single person contributing every single day, every single player and every staff member. It's about laying one brick at a time and making sure that everyone is contributing and pulling in the same direction. I think we have shown amazing resilience with what we have gone through with the pandemic and the big change that was made after Christmas. They have just got on with it every single day, put the work in and shown real character. I'm really proud of everything we have achieved in recent months and hope we will be in a really good place going into next season. We want to finish the season strongly on Sunday and then everyone can look forward to a break. It's been a long season and I think everyone is looking forward to spending some time with their friends and family.
On the prospect of welcoming the supporters back next season…
I can't wait as we only had the one game this season with the fans against Crystal Palace. We can't wait to have them back and they can make that difference and push us to where we want to be: winning the FA Women's Championship title next season.