O'Brien: Crafty Foxes can outwit Liverpool once again

Shannon O'Brien is backing Leicester to complete an impressive double over in-form Liverpool on Saturday. 

The Foxes sit bottom of the Women's Super League on 10 points but boosted their survival hopes by beating fellow strugglers Reading last time out.

They welcome Liverpool to the King Power Stadium on Saturday and will be hoping for a repeat of the surprise 1-0 victory over Matt Beard's side at Prenton Park in February.

O'Brien, back in training after a lengthy injury absence, told LiveScore: "I think you have to look at the games we have left and be realistic about what we're going to get from each team.

"This is a game we think we can get something from. They're in really good form, so it's going to be really tough.

"We were actually quite lucky to come away with three points in the reverse fixture.

"But that shows we can grind out results when we're up against it. We'll have to do that again but we believe we can, so now it's just about putting it into practice."

Injury woes

Liverpool's visit is likely to come too soon for aspiring Lioness O'Brien, who has been sidelined since December by a string of injuries.

She added: "It's been a ridiculous couple of months really. Initially, around Christmas time, I had a bit of a foot problem and that kept me out for a couple of weeks.

"In my last rehab session for that, I slightly pulled my quad, but nothing major. 

"With the last rehab session of the quad strain, I played a pass and completely snapped it. 

"I knew straight away it was bad. I'd torn the quad muscle and tendon, which is a 10-12 week recovery, but I've also had a couple of setbacks.

"I trained for the first time on Tuesday and I'm hoping that's going to be the end of it."

Having been voted Leicester's Player of the Season in 2021-22, the Coventry-born ace hopes to have an impact in the closing stages of the WSL campaign. 

She said: "It's the first time I've had an injury where it's caused me to miss a lot of games, so that's been tough. 

"Hopefully, I can now focus on getting back for the last few games and helping the team out of this situation."

Exciting times

After Liverpool, Leicester face back-to-back trips to title contenders Arsenal and Chelsea before two seemingly winnable clashes at home to West Ham and away to Brighton.

O'Brien hopes their WSL status will be secured prior to a final-day showdown with the Seagulls — though the prospect of things going down to the wire does not faze her.

She said: "Everybody is excited and nervous for the end of the season. It could come down to the last day.

"I just think you can take that kind of thing in a good or bad way. For me, having missed so many games, I'm feeling positive about coming in and trying to effect things."

O'Brien is aiming high for both club and country, with Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad in her sights.

She added: "I only had my first call-up last year at youth level, so that was a case of me getting used to camp and understanding how England want me to play.

"But obviously the senior squad is my target and hopefully with an injury-free season next term I can push towards that.

"For me, there's no ceiling. I want to play for England, I want to play in the Champions League, win trophies and compete for the Ballon d'Or."

Follow Shannon O'Brien on Instagram @shanob09.