NewsLFC Women reaction: 'I'm proud of the players, we gave it everything'

After a disappointing performance and result versus Leicester City Women last weekend, Liverpool were much improved at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday night.

The Barclays Women’s Super League contest began superbly when Natasha Dowie set up Emma Koivisto for a second-minute opener, but title-chasing Chelsea responded when ex-Red Niamh Charles levelled and Sam Kerr pounced to net the winner four minutes from time.

A big plus for Beard was the display of 19-year-old goalkeeper Faye Kirby, who made an excellent WSL debut for the club.

Post-match, the boss told Liverpoolfc.com: “I’m proud of the work we put in but am desperately disappointed for the players to lose the game near the end.

“I think we had no luck when the ball hit the post and came to Sam Kerr, not the person you want it to fall to, but we frustrated them tonight.

“We’ve had a tough time with injuries and the whole midfield changed during the game. I’m proud of the players but desperately disappointed with the result.

“We put our bodies on the line, we made some good clearances and I thought Faye, on her WSL debut, was outstanding. Faye has been outstanding in training in the last three or four months. She fully deserved her opportunity and I felt she took that.”

Kirby, meanwhile, said: “Obviously it was a special occasion for me, my family and the team as well.

“I thought the girls put in a big shift and we deserved something, at least a draw, but we’ve got a three-game week so we’ve got to push on and build from this tonight.

“Everyone wants to start so I’ve got to keep my head down, keep working and keep pushing and do what I’m doing.”

Liverpool FC Women are back in action on Sunday when they host Manchester City Women in the WSL at Prenton Park, with kick-off set for 2pm BST.

• Buy tickets for Sunday's game here