ReactionLFC Women 0-1 Everton Women: Matt Beard's post-match press conference
Matt Beard gave an honest assessment of Liverpool FC Women's performance in their 1-0 defeat by Everton Women in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
The Reds' unbeaten start to their Barclays Women's Super League campaign came to an end on Sunday after Megan Finnigan's headed goal in the 31st minute.
Before the opener, Missy Bo Kearns had her finish from close range ruled out for offside and Ceri Holland struck the crossbar for the hosts.
Read on for a summary of Beard's post-match press conference…
On the game and the result...
I'm frustrated because we started the game well and we've had a perfectly good goal disallowed, which is frustrating because it completely probably changed the dynamic of the game. Disappointed how we lost control of the game, there were too many turnovers – probably 20 minutes in – which allows them to get a bit of a foothold in the game.
Should have defended the goal better, but then we should have had a free-kick in the build-up to that goal on Grace Fisk. Then we're chasing the game at the end, composure in the final third probably snatching at chances rather than being calm, composed and taking control of the situation. And then yeah, when we're chasing we've left ourselves a bit vulnerable at the back in that last sort of 10-minute period because obviously we're trying to get the equaliser.
On the change of formation in the second half...
We were dangerous. We had a lot of pace up front – Mel [Lawley], Mia [Enderby] is definitely an exciting player. It left us a bit vulnerable defensively but, as I say, we're chasing the game. I think going forward it worked. Defensively, obviously we need to make sure we're not as open as we were at that back end.
On Sophie Roman Haug's competitive debut...
I think she started well. When we're turning the ball over like we did in that 20-minute period, it doesn't help anyone. So we're playing blind passes when we can set it back, allow players to get through the pitch. But she'll be fine.
On the team's pressing...
I think we could have done it much better in the first half but we dropped off too much, didn't release the wing-backs quick enough and it allowed them to play through a little bit or play around. But they didn't really open us up today, did they? I think that one chance at the end on the transition when they've hit the bar. When we were chasing, we were a little bit more vulnerable. But we could have been a bit more aggressive on that.
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