Liverpool interim manager Amber Whiteley praised the work rate and application of her players following the club's shock Women's FA Cup victory over Arsenal on Sunday.
It's been a turbulent month for the Merseyside outfit after parting ways with Matt Beard during February international break. Former assistant coach Whiteley has taken charge on an interim basis and has now guided the team to two victories against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
It was a relatively quiet game at Meadow Park on Sunday afternoon, but Sophie Roman Haug stepped up to score the only goal shortly after the 60 minute mark. The forward was picked out in the box by Marie Hobinger and she squeezed the effort in off goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
Whiteley, who is now in her second interim role with Liverpool, hailed the way her players have stepped up in recent weeks.
"I'm just so pleased for everyone today, she told liverpoolfc.com after the game. "They've put in so much work over the last couple of weeks. Obviously there's been a big change.
"We've changed the system, and they've had to take on a lot of information in a short space of time. The way they have implemented it on the pitch last week and today against a top side, they've been outstanding."
While the defensive display was outstanding, as Liverpool limited Arsenal to just a single shot on target, Whiteley was equally as pleased with her sides attacking play. Liverpool had scored just one goal against the WSL's top four across all competitions this season prior to Sunday's game.
She added: "I didn't realise it had gone in at first. I was a little bit delayed. But we spoke about that at half-time.We had good opportunities in front of goal. There were some good passages of play in the final third in the first half, but we needed to really believe it that we could get those opportunities and convert them. I'm so pleased for Sophie to get that goal."
A semi-final clash against Chelsea now awaits on 12 April, with Manchester City and Manchester United set to contest the other last four tie. Whiteley understands the extent of the challenge given Chelsea's form under Sonia Bompastor this season, but insists their belief won't change.
"It will be the same approach as this one," she concluded. "We'll prepare as best we can and we'll go into the game in the best possible place."
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