NewsMatt Beard wins WSL Manager of the Month award for December

The Liverpool FC Women boss claims the prize for the first time this season after guiding his side to an unbeaten month in the competition.

The Reds followed up a 1-1 home draw with Bristol City by coming from a goal down to defeat rivals Manchester United 2-1 on the road.

Beard pipped Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor to December's accolade.

On the award and reflecting on the month overall, Beard told Liverpoolfc.com: "I think the way we finished the month was fantastic.

"Obviously a draw at home against Bristol City, followed that up with a dominant victory over Everton in the Continental Cup – it was a tough campaign for us in that competition this year, but I think we used it really well for younger players and to get minutes into players.

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"And the icing on the cake was the win at Leigh Sports Village over Manchester United.

"The biggest thing for us now is consistency. We've had a lot of performances where we've done really well and some performances where it's not been consistent for 90 minutes.

"Though I do think the international programme had a big impact on that, not just for us but other sides as well.

"Now we want to start 2024 well beginning with the FA Cup, a competition we'd love the opportunity to progress in and then we've got a tough month with the league fixtures too."

Thanking the fans who help vote for the award, Beard also paid tribute to his backroom staff, who he said have played an instrumental role.

"I know it's a cliché, but you can't do the work without your team, and I'm blessed with the team that I've got," Beard added.

"Not only are they great people but they're specialists in their own area and they are the driving force behind what we do."