ColumnMatt Beard on Arsenal loss, improvements and facing Tottenham

While it’s always disappointing to lose any game, I feel we can take some positives out of our overall display versus Arsenal last Sunday.

The first two WSL games of the year were always going to be a test, playing away to Manchester City and then at home to Arsenal. From my perspective, the overall team performance was much improved against Arsenal.

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The goal changed the game, to be honest with you, and it was a great strike from Vivianne Miedema.

If I look back on the last two games, I think there have been many lessons learned. We have got a run of games coming up now with the teams around us where we feel we can compete and get points.

I’m not saying we couldn’t do that against Manchester City and Arsenal, because we have done that in the past, but they are good sides and we are still going through that bit of a transition period and still on the start of a journey. They are established teams in the WSL and there are plenty of learnings from it.

I felt we had two clear-cut chances against Arsenal, especially with Mia Enderby at the end, and then when Grace Fisk squared it when maybe she could have had a shot. It was a better performance.

I made eight changes for the Arsenal game. The performances have been OK but from the last three of our last five, I feel we could have done better. I just felt after the City game we probably needed that bit of experience. Everyone trained well but it was a decision we made after such a heavy defeat.

Sometimes you just need to take some of the younger players out because this league can be unforgiving week in, week out. Sometimes when you are new to the WSL and new to the country, you have little blips in form. But we will be fine.

Rachael Laws came back in goal and had an excellent game. She has been patient and she has been training well. Teagan Micah had a bit of a quad problem this week, so Lawsy had the opportunity and took her chance.

Our captain, Niamh Fahey, was back in the starting XI and I have to give her a mention because I thought she was outstanding. She hasn’t played that many minutes and has had to be patient after her injury.

I gave Sofie Lundgaard a chance in midfield. Sofie is only 21 and she has been very patient. Leaving Denmark for the first time away from her family and friends, it took her a while to settle in but she is comfortable now.

With her performance against Everton in the Continental League Cup and the way she has been training, we just felt she deserved a chance. I thought she did well. It will take her a little bit of time to get up to speed.

On Sunday we face another home game in the WSL when we welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Prenton Park (kick-off 2pm GMT).

I felt the draw was a fair result the last time we played against them but we could have won it at the end.

I think their gaffer Robert Vilahamn has done a great job. They are pretty similar to us and it’s going to be a good game. We are really looking forward to it.

I do think we have closed the gap on the top teams this year for sure. We decided to recruit young and we want to grow this team, so there will be plenty of learnings along the way which will stand the players in great stead for the future.

Finally, we have agreed a deal for Miri Taylor to spend the rest of the season on loan at Aston Villa.

Miri’s opportunities have been limited of late and after speaking to her and her agent, we agreed that a loan would be a good option for her.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

YNWA,

Matt

Matt Beard was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com's Steve Hunter

• Get your tickets for LFC Women v Spurs at Prenton Park here