ColumnMatt Beard: We want to end 2024 on a high in front of our fans

It was a really frustrating day for us on Sunday against Manchester United and unfortunately we came up short.

We actually started the game quite well but we shot ourselves in the foot with those first two goals, which were both preventable.

I said after the game these injuries have taken their toll over the course of the season so far, we had seven players out on Sunday.

We need to get through Wednesday and then Sunday, but we’ve got positive news on Gemma Evans and Hannah Silcock, who should be back and that will give us more depth and more options.

We just need to tighten up in a few areas and I said to the players at half-time that we can’t feel sorry for ourselves and we’ve got to stand up and make sure that we are doing the basics right and doing the right things.

On Sunday I don’t think we had that in abundance, it’s got to be consistent from that first whistle to the last, and that’s something we need to address and put it right on Wednesday night.

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We are hoping to get our first win at St Helens Stadium when we face Everton in the Women’s League Cup (kick-off 6pm GMT).

I’ll make a few changes as we need to protect players because there’s been a lot of football played, especially the international players.

There is still a chance we can qualify so it would be great if we could get our first win at this stadium against Everton, and if we can get the win then we can take that confidence into Sunday’s game against Arsenal.

From our perspective, we have got to make sure that we turn up and perform for the fans.

It would be fair to say we haven’t had much fortune in recent derby games. Everton don’t concede many goals and are well organised so when they get in front it can be difficult to break them down, so maybe the luck may change in our favour on Wednesday.

We end 2024 on Sunday when we host Arsenal in the Barclays Women’s Super League at St Helens (kick-off 2.30pm).

Arsenal are flying at the moment and I think interim boss Renee Slegers has done a great job since Jonas [Eidevall] went.

They are a world-class side and they are back in the top three now, so from our perspective we have to be on our ‘A’ game.

When you play against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in the WSL you have to be at your best.

As I always say, I say it all of the time, we know we have got a very good side here and the injuries to key players have had a big impact.

Unfortunately, it’s the way this first part of the season has gone for us and obviously we are quite a way away from third place in the WSL now, but we know we are better than what we have produced so far this season.

We have two home games this week and we want to end 2024 by giving our fans something to cheer about and of course we beat Arsenal last season at the Emirates, so we know what we are capable of.

Last Friday we paid our annual visit to see the children for Christmas at Alder Hey. It’s always a very humbling experience. When you see what some people are going through, of course it puts everything into perspective.

The hospital and the staff that work there deserve so much credit, it’s a special place and we couldn’t have been happier to visit.

Thank you for your continued support, as always.

YNWA,

Matt

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