Reaction'We'll learn from this' - Matt Beard on LFC Women's derby defeat

The Reds were beaten by the Blues in the Barclays Women’s Super League clash as a crowd of 27,574 attended the evening kick-off at Anfield.

Megan Finnigan and Jessica Park netted for the visitors during the first half and a late effort by Hanna Bennison secured their victory.

On what went wrong for his team, Beard told Sky Sports post-match: “We were a little bit too slow; passing, movement, extra touch, playing ourselves into trouble.

“We knew we were going to be under a press, we prepared for it all week. And sometimes it just happens. If you look at the chances we had tonight, we just didn’t convert the chances we had – we had three or four really good ones. And the difference is they did.

“I thought they were the better team over the game. Second half we were better but at this level it’s too late, you can’t wait until half-time to get going again.”

Katie Stengel and Ceri Holland had Liverpool’s most promising opportunities before the interval, and Beard’s side fashioned a series of chances in the closing stages.

The boss underscored the areas for improvement as the campaign continues on the Reds’ return to the top flight, having beaten champions Chelsea last weekend.

“Everton defended really well. But we’ve just let ourselves down in key moments; possession, movement, little reactions,” said Beard. “But we’ll learn from it.

“I said to them then, we took the plaudits last week, tonight is going to be a massive, massive learning curve for us. Especially the goals we gave away, [they] came from our own turnovers and that’s frustrating, and a set play.

“At the top level you get punished. We’ll learn from that and move on.”