ReactionMatt Beard: It was a good end to a frustrating day

The Reds had an afternoon of mixed emotions in the Barclays Women’s Super League, first taking the lead at Broadfield Stadium before battling from two goals behind to rescue a dramatic point.

Missy Bo Kearns opened the scoring in the 17th minute, though Liverpool trailed 3-1 at half-time following quick goals from Elisabeth Terland, Danielle Carter and Katie Robinson.

Following the interval, Beard’s charges fought back and substitute Shanice van de Sanden struck 14 minutes from time with a header after sustained pressure on the Seagulls goal.

The forward then turned provider in the second minute of stoppage time to spark celebrations as fellow substitute Rachel Furness rescued a late point.

“I was frustrated, and I voiced my frustration,” Beard said of his half-time team talk.

“I don’t lose my temper with the players, but it was a heated half-time because we weren’t doing what we set up to do. We trained Friday fantastically; we found the spaces and we showed the girls at half-time that the spaces were there that we had set up to play through and round.

“I felt second half when we went to the 4-3-3, put Charlotte [Wardlaw] in there [it] gave us an extra body and it allowed us to play down the sides, which we could’ve done in the first half if we would’ve got into the positions, but we didn’t.

“They deserve a lot of credit because Taylor [Hinds] hit the bar and there’s another couple of half-chances as well and I felt we deserved at least a point, if not all three.”

On Van de Sanden’s impact from the bench, he added: “It’s great to have that option. You look at the assist for Furney’s goal - that pace is tough to deal with.

“I thought Gilly [Flaherty] had an outstanding game today and [there was] a lot of good play from her... it was a good ending to a frustrating day.”