Easton eyeing tough season

Liverpool defender Becky Easton expects this year's Women's Super League to be the most competitive yet thanks to a flurry of major signings by the big teams during the close season.Defending champions Liverpool were third going into the final day of the 2014 season, but retained their title on goal difference after they beat Bristol, leaders Birmingham drew against Notts County and second-placed Chelsea lost to Manchester City.Easton expects the 2015 campaign to be equally close given that teams have strengthened considerably, with Liverpool signing African Women's Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, England defender Lucy Bronze quitting the Reds to join Manchester City and Sweden international goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl moving to Chelsea. "This season will be the toughest and most competitive in the WSL," the 40-year-old right-back said. "Teams have been strengthened by a lot of movement and transfers, with some good players from abroad coming over to play here this season. And it's a World Cup year, so those involved with England will be trying to raise their game and get noticed." The Reds lost 3-1 to Birmingham on Sunday to crash out of the FA Women's Cup but Easton is confident her new-look side can bounce back in their opening league game against newly-promoted Sunderland on Wednesday. "We've lost three or four players and signed four, so in many ways we're like a new team," she said."We're still getting to know each other and there's a lot to work on - but our pre-season friendlies have gone okay and we're starting to gel."We've won the league the last two years and we've found that, as champions, everyone raises their game against us. That's tough enough in itself and I think we do have a challenging season ahead. But we're very positive and we've prepared well."Sunday's WLS fixtures see Birmingham host Manchester City and Chelsea travel to Notts County.

Source: PA