ReactionMatt Beard on Aston Villa win: 'I thought we were excellent'

An Emma Koivisto double followed strikes from Grace Fisk and Sophie Roman Haug to give the Reds an impressive victory at Poundland Bescot Stadium, and means they have won back-to-back away games in the WSL for the first time since 2018.

Reflecting on the game afterwards, Beard told reporters: "I thought we were excellent from start to finish. I think they were tough conditions again, the pitch was very wet and [players were] losing their feet underneath it. But I thought we played some really good stuff and we mixed it up as well.

"I'm really pleased with the goals, I thought Emma Koivisto was excellent, Mia Enderby was excellent, [Niamh] Fahey was excellent, but collectively it was a great, great team performance.

"I'm disappointed with the [Villa] goal, just because we were in complete control of the game, and then it gives them a bit of a lift, but I thought we managed the game well today and I'm really pleased."

Beard was particularly pleased for Koivisto, who netted her first goal of the season from Jasmine Matthews' cross on the hour mark, before adding a second for good measure with eight minutes remaining.

"If you look at how we play with the wing-backs, Emma is in those positions a lot of times," the boss said. "I thought both crosses, Jas' cross for Sophie and then for Emma's first goal, were excellent.

"It was a composed finish as well, because as I say it's a tough pitch and it's bobbled up, so it was a superb finish. Then obviously the header at the far post as well.

"Emma gets in those positions, she's up and down for us and she deserved those goals today."

Victory consolidates Liverpool in fifth place in the WSL table, level on points with Manchester United, and Beard says he has been thrilled with his side's progress this season.

"This time last year we were in a relegation battle, but this year we are looking to try to break into that top four, top three," he said.

"We knew what we wanted to do, where we wanted to go. We've improved the team, we've improved statistically [and] we've just got to keep progressing."

Having extended their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions, Liverpool's next test comes on Saturday when they welcome Leicester City to Prenton Park in the quarter-finals of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.

"It's going to be a tough game," said Beard. "Leicester are a good side, very, very difficult to play against.

"Hopefully we can make sure that the home advantage is in our favour, but we'll prepare like we always do and give ourselves the best possible chance."

• Book your tickets and away coach travel for LFC Women's matches here