Matt Beard reaction: ‘The result is disappointing but the performance isn’t’
Liverpool FC Women manager Matt Beard admitted to mixed emotions following his side’s 3-1 friendly defeat by Manchester United at Carrington on Wednesday.
Seven new signings all saw action during the contest, with one of those summer acquisitions Natasha Flint netting a consolation goal for the Reds.
Australia international Teagan Micah made her first start between the posts for Beard’s charges, while Norwegian striker Sophie Roman Haug made her debut up front.
The boss also awaits an injury update on captain Niamh Fahey and Mia Enderby, who will both have scans on Friday after being forced off the field.
Read on as Beard gives his post-match thoughts to Liverpoolfc.com on an entertaining pre-season run-out…
I felt we dominated large parts of the game, to be honest with you. We had numerous chances, we entered their final third of the field on numerous times, only to snatch at them or make the wrong decision.
The creative part was pleasing and it’s something we’ve been working on, so we were pleased with that. I was disappointed with the manner of the goals we conceded. The first goal starts with miscommunication from us, but we still should have defended better after that.
Jenna [Clark] has to get tighter to Leah Galton and then the second goal is just the bare basics with a long ball over the top.
I thought we responded well after that to get back into the game. Tash scored and we should have had one just before it when Emma Koivisto squared the ball to Sophie. In the second half, we started well and had chances again, but we just weren’t brave enough to block the shot for the third goal. So, overall, positives to take and it’s the understanding now and the communication which needs to get better.
There were so many moments today when we could have spoken to each other in the sense of time on the finish or decision on the pass. The result is frustrating but the performance for most parts isn’t. The relationships on the field are beginning to develop and the understanding of what we want, but it’s the consistency of it we need to improve on.
On a first Liverpool outing for Roman Haug…
I thought she did well. She’s only had three training sessions with us, so we know she definitely knows where the goal is, we’ve seen that already in training first-hand. I felt her link-up play was good.
There is going to be a little time needed for her and Natasha to build a relationship. We have shown clips to the girls of Sophie’s finishing and her movement just so they could see that. But I think she is going to be a good player for us and we are pleased with what she has contributed in such a short space of time.
