Beard Report: "I Thought It Was A Really Positive Performance"

09/15/2024 10:00 PM

The manager gave his post match assessment following the final pre-season match for Liverpool Women.

Liverpool Women's pre-season campaign has finally wrapped up with a practice run at St. Helen's Stadium ahead of the new WSL season after hosting Everton Women. The match ended in a goalless draw, but the manager Matt Beard saw plenty to be pleased with and gave his assessments to the club website following the match.

"It was just the final third really, wasn't it? We just couldn't get the goal. It was frustrating I think from that side," Beard started.

"We've had numerous chances today and one disallowed and I think we should've had a penalty. Mia [Enderby] wouldn't go down there because she obviously cut inside.

"But again, there was a lot for us to take from a learning point of view. I thought it was a positive performance. I think we really restricted Everton to set plays. We still need to get better at when to press and when to hold. There's plenty of stuff that we can improve on but I'd much rather us have that type of luck in front of goal today than next week. Maybe two or three of those go in next week [against Leicester]."

Beard also had a number of selection challenges, with Sophie Lundgaard and Hannah Silcock returning from injury, as well as Mia Enderby making herself hard to deny. New signing Olivia Smith was even available for selection after her international performances.

"You see how many times [Enderby] got fouled. She's so unpredictable. We see it in training all the time. She's just a nightmare to mark but she's such a great kid. She has a great attitude and she learnt a lot last year making the step up. She's still only young. Not just her but I've got a lot of team selection problems. I've just said it to them there that every single one of them performed well today I thought," Beard continued.

"I thought [Lundgaard] was excellent when she came on. I thought we lacked that bit of physicality in the midfield area. She came on and got involved. But as I said, I can't fault anyone that came off the bench. I thought Jas Matthews was excellent and Hannah Silcock has been out most of pre-season. I thought she was excellent today when she came on as well."

Of course, all of this is just preparing for the start of the new WSL season, and the move to the St. Helen's Stadium from their previous home of Prenton Park. The stadium had been updated with a new Premier League level pitch, and free coaches provided to the stadium, so it sounds like things are really ready for the tenants.

"It's great. When you walk in it's obviously red but the branding as well. I just think the relationship between us and St Helens has started off on a fantastic footing and it's a great stadium for us to play in. We're looking forward to the year here," the manager added.

"We've still got a few things. As I said before, we're probably a week or two behind where I would want us to be from a physical standpoint with some players. That's what I mean, I have some really tough decisions to make but that's what we want and that's what we need because it keeps everyone on their toes and you've got to earn the right to play. As I say, I thought there were some really good performances today and I'm really pleased."

Liverpool kick off the season against Leicester City next Sunday, September 22, at St. Helen's Stadium.