Liverpool have been one of the surprise packages in the Barclays Women’s Super League this season. After finishing in the bottom half of the table in 2022/2023, they are now proving that they can rub shoulders with the very best.
The Reds have gone from strength-to-strength this season with their latest major victory being a 2-1 success over local rivals Manchester United at The Leigh Sports Village yesterday.
Ella Toone gave Manchester United the lead in Leigh but a Millie Turner own goal brought Liverpool back into the game. Captain Taylor Hinds then stabbed in from close range in the second half to hand the visitors a huge three points.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard was delighted with his team’s efforts when speaking to the media after the final whistle.
“It was a tough start for us and we nearly gifted them a second one but I just think the way we recovered, the way we grew into the game, I thought we were worthy of the three points,” Beard said.
The home side struggled to break down Liverpool’s defensive block and they were limited to just two shots on target throughout the 90 minutes, a far cry from the 6-0 victory in the same fixture last season. Beard went on to say that the situation was completely different this year.
He said “Last year was last year, it’s a completely different squad this year. The squad depth that we’ve got has really helped us kick on this year.
“We know we’re a good team, we know we’re a good group, they’re a great group to work with. We just need to believe in ourselves.
“One thing that for me is a non-negotiable is the work ethic. I think if you can get the work ethic right like we did today, like we did at Arsenal, then we’ve got half a chance because we’ve got some really talented players.”
Beard also highlighted the improvement in the club’s training facilities as a huge factor in Liverpool’s rapid growth.
“Going into that game last year, we were at Solar Campus and we had a lot of issues around the training pitch because of the weather,” Beard said. “Now, we’re at Melwood, we’ve got top, top facilities.”
The victory takes Liverpool level on points with Manchester United, a side previously tipped to challenge for UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification and even the league title. Despite his side’s impressive ranking, Beard is not looking too far ahead.
He said “It’s great for us to keep in touch with that top four, top five, so it was an important win. I know on our day, we can compete and we can beat anyone and I think we’ve proved that a few times already this year.
“It’s great to have targets, we are ambitious. We’re an ambitious football club but we just take it game-by-game. I can’t effect what’s going to happen in three, four or five weeks’ time. We just take it game-by-game, prepare as best we can and hope it’s enough.”
Liverpool return to action after the Christmas break when they travel to Bristol City for an Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round tie on Sunday 14 January 2023.
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