Matt Beard Bemoans "Frustrating" Last Minute Loss
Today at 12:30 AM
The Liverpool Women's manager published his weekly column.
After a heartening victory against Tottenham Hotspur Women, Matt Beard's Liverpool came down to Earth when they lost 2-1 at Anfield during stoppage time to Manchester City. Speaking about the match, Beard bemoaned the late winner, saying that he believed the Reds deserved a point from their performance.
"I thought we defended well but if I look at both goals conceded we were in a three-versus-two situation, which then ended up in a one-v-one," he said. "Unfortunately, Niamh [Fahey] was caught on the wrong side and Jas [Matthews] stepped out and these top teams and top players punish you in those situations.
"I think Bunny Shaw along with Barbra Banda at Orlando Pride are probably two of the most clinical finishers in world football; unfortunately for us, City had two shots on target and scored both times."
It was a new player, 20-year-old Canadian Olivia Smith, who scored Liverpool's only goal of the game. It was a huge moment for the talented midfielder, but Beard remains cautious to avoid putting too much pressure on her at the start of her career on Merseyside.
"Smithy [Olivia Smith] scored a fantastic goal but what I don't want to do is put all this pressure on her - we already know what a talent she is. She is a brilliant person in the sense of her personality. If I look back at the Tottenham game when she came off, she was upset and devastated she hadn't scored, but it shows her hunger and desire.
"I said to her that day: 'Look, you are going to score plenty of goals so don't worry, we know the quality you've got and you possess. All I ask is that you keep getting in those positions.' If you look at the goal with her power, her pace and the way she uses her body in tight situations, I think she is undefendable."
The team currently sits on 4 points from their first three league games, putting them in fifth place. Their next game is this Sunday when they host Crystal Palace.
