It has been an excellent week for Liverpool FC Women. Following on the back of their 5-0 Women's FA Cup win at West Ham United, they then beat the same opponents, by a narrower 1-0 margin, at St Helens Stadium on Sunday to close the gap to the Women's Super League top six to two points.

Next up for Matt Beard's side is a FA Women's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Rugby Borough on Sunday (12.30pm kick-off).

And ahead of that last-16 encounter, we round-up the latest news from the Liverpool camp...

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Leanne Kiernan delighted

Leanne Kiernan followed her goal in the Women's FA Cup rout at West Ham by scoring the winner in the weekend's Women's Super League clash between the teams following a Ceri Holland assist.

"It’s been a good weekend, it has been a good week - no complaints," said Kiernan. "I’m feeling good and feeling confident, so hopefully I’ll keep it up."

And on the match itself, the Republic of Ireland international added: "It wasn’t going to be the prettiest game, we expected a reaction from West Ham from during the week. We were ready for them but it was a tough game for sure.

“We needed that [the result] and the way the team defended was unbelievable. It wasn’t the prettiest game of football but you can tell we really got stuck in and it’s an important win.

"We’re not really focused on anybody else around us, it’s more about what we can do better. The important thing is every Sunday to try to get the three points."

Next up Rugby Borough

The Reds will look to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Women's FA Cup with victory at the home of the FA Women's National League North outfit, whose league rivals include Liverpool Feds.

Liverpool boss Beard said of Rugby Borough: "They have a 3G pitch and their facilities look fantastic - it looks like a really well-organised club.

"We’ve watched a few of their games back and it’s going to be a tough game. I know Burchy [Lee Burch], their manager, really well from his Yeovil Town and London Bees days, so this is not going to be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination. Burchy is a good manager, a good coach, and he will have them organised.

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"From my perspective, the Women’s FA Cup is the only trophy that we can win. In the WSL, I still believe we can get into that top six - if we could get fifth that would be a good achievement.

"We know on our day we can beat anyone. This is a competition historically that is the biggest competition in women’s football and the prize is Wembley.

"I know what it takes to get there - I’ve been fortunate to have done it with Chelsea, Charlton Athletic and West Ham - so from my perspective it’s been about making sure we get through January."

Alejandra Bernabe signs

Beard has bolstered his ranks with the loan signing of Alejandra Bernabe from Chelsea for the rest of the season.

The one-capped Spain international, 23, who became the Reds' third addition of the January transfer window, said: "It's a pleasure to be here. I know that this is a big club and also I hear the love from outside about this big club, so it's a pleasure to be coming here.

"I'm so happy and I'm so excited. I'm looking forward to meeting all of the supporters and I will give 100 per cent always.

"I'm the type of person who gives a lot of energy. I'm aggressive on the pitch and I like to attack and defend

"I like to run a lot and I can be aggressive. I play left-back so I have to run a lot. I always try to give 100 per cent, be aggressive and I like to get crosses into the box.

"We want to be nearer the teams at the top of the table. I know last season the team did very well to finish in the top four, so we need to play in every moment 100 per cent."

Injury boost

Goalkeeper Faye Kirby took another step forward in her rehabilitation from long-term injury this week by featuring for 45 minutes in a friendly for the under-21s held at the AXA Melwood Training Centre.

It was the 20-year-old's first game since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September 2023.

Merseyside derby early bird tickets

Early bird tickets are now on sale for Liverpool’s Women's Super League derby with Everton at Anfield on Sunday, May 4.

It will be the third instalment of the Anfield hat-trick for LFC Women in 2024-25 following October’s meeting with Manchester City and then next month’s encounter against Manchester United.

The Merseyside derby will also be the Reds’ final home match of the campaign.

Full information HERE.