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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Beth Lindop

Gabby George lifts lid on brilliant Everton form and gives Merseyside derby verdict

Everton defender Gabby George had said the Blues will "take nothing for granted" when they host the WSL Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Brian Sorensen's side scored three without reply in the reverse fixture at Anfield back in September and are enjoying an impressive league campaign in the Dane's first season at Walton Hall Park. Everton are currently sixth in the table - just a point off fifth with a game in hand - and made it four WSL games unbeaten with a hard-fought draw away to league leaders Manchester United before the international break.

The Blues will get the chance to secure a league double over Liverpool - in the first ever WSL Merseyside derby to be staged at Goodison - on March 24. And, with average attendance figures in the women's game up more than 200% on last season, George is hopeful Everton will be able to attract club-record crowd for a women's game.

READ MORE: Aggie Beever-Jones on Everton 'rhythm', first WSL goal and Manchester United 'excitement'

READ MORE: Matt Beard shares half time dressing room message as Liverpool boost WSL survival chances

"We want to get as many fans there and get as close to selling it out as we can," the defender told the ECHO. "We've had such amazing support this season - probably the best that we've had in the past 10 years.

"We're getting bigger and bigger crowds every home game so we want to do it Goodison."

While Everton look to be in the ascendancy under their new manager, it has been a more turbulent campaign for their local rivals, who earned promotion back to the top-flight last season after a two-year exile to the Championship. But while Liverpool, who are eighth in the table, struggled in their last meeting with the Blues, George believes it will be a different story when the two sides face off at Goodison Park.

"In a derby, all results go out the window," she said. "Everyone turns up on the day, so I'm expecting a really close game.

"I think they've come into the league and they’re trying to contend with everyone, which is obviously difficult, but they've beaten the likes of Chelsea so we can take nothing for granted. We have to perform on the day and expect a really tough game."

One of the key factors behind Everton's WSL resurgence has been George's dazzling individual form. The 26-year-old, who is conventionally a central defender, has been deployed as a wing-back under Sorensen and her eye-catching displays on the left flank led to her being named as the league's Player of the Month for January.

And while George admits it has taken time for her to adapt to her new position, she is relishing the chance to add a different dynamic to her game.

"It was a challenge I was looking forward to taking on," she said. "I played at wing-back a few times when I was younger and I think I've got the attributes that would fit into the system.

"I was just happy to get on the pitch and try something a bit different. Every day, I'm learning stuff, which is a breath of fresh air when you've been playing somewhere for so long. It's been good for me and I think it’s been good for the team."

Everton will return to WSL action on March 5 against mid-table rivals Aston Villa. A win would see the Blues move up to fifth and George is confident the club can look to climb even higher up the table should they continue on their current trajectory in the seasons to come.

"I think with a manager like Brian who has structure and has a philosophy of how he wants to play, we keep improving season on season," she said.

"I think we will continue to keep bringing in players over the next few seasons and hopefully people on the outside can see what we're building here. It's always going to be difficult to go and compete with the top four but I think on any given day we can compete with them.

"We want to try and do and see where it leaves us at the end of the season."

Win a pair of tickets to the Premier League or Women's Super League match of your choosing! Enter HERE

READ NEXT:

Everton and Liverpool will face off in the WSL Merseyside derby at Goodison Park at 7.30pm on Friday March 24. Tickets are now on general sale. You can find out more here.

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