Anfield victory sets Brosnan up for Ireland showdown

Courtney Brosnan enjoyed the perfect preparation for Tuesday's World Cup play-off: a Merseyside derby win at Anfield in front of almost 28,000 noisy fans.

Republic of Ireland keeper Brosnan kept a clean sheet in front of the Kop two weeks ago as Everton eased to a comprehensive 3-0 victory in the Women's Super League, much to the frustration of her international team-mates Niamh Fahey and Megan Campbell, who both started for the Reds.

Liverpool boss Matt Beard said afterwards that his players looked "scared" on the big stage, but Brosnan and her Toffees team-mates embraced it.

Now, the Ireland No 1 is ready for another giant encounter.

"It was amazing, such a great experience," she said of the Anfield triumph.

"Honestly, the atmosphere was great, the away end was packed out. It was very special to play in front of it, to be sure."

Brosnan has had some rocky moments in a green jersey since making her debut in 2020, but she has emerged as one of Vera Pauw's key players over the course of this campaign.

The American-born stopper was superb in the 1-1 draw away to Sweden last April and has been consistently reliable over the last year.

"I feel like the draw away to Sweden and the win away in Finland, those were big results for us," said Brosnan.

"Obviously being away from home and showing we could put in big performances against some top, top sides in Sweden and Finland.

"Personally, it has been a great campaign and I have talked a lot in the media about doing my best and just fulfilling my role in the team and doing what is necessary, whether that is making no saves or one save or ten saves, just trying to focus on the task.

"With a goalkeeper, so much of it is physical but so much of it is mental and the way you talk to yourself and