‘We want to continue the run that we are on’ – Liverpool aiming to maintain winning form says Beard | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Matt Beard says that his side will be aiming to continue their winning run when they travel to Manchester City this weekend.

The hosts will be the favourites to win the match but Liverpool travel to The Joie Stadium on the back of a three-game winning run in all competitions.

When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Liverpool boss Beard said that while Manchester City are an excellent team, his side’s focus is to continue their winning run and push for a place in the top half of the Barclays Women’s Super League table.

“They’re a top side,” Beard said when commenting on opponents Manchester City. “They’ve shipped a lot of goals recently which is surprising but it’s like any opportunity. Their form in the league has been a little bit up and down, so maybe it’s a good time to play them, I don’t know.

“We will do as much as we can to get three points because we want to continue the run that we are on. We are three points off fifth now and our ambition is to get that fifth or sixth spot. If we go on a run of winning football matches like we did last year, we give ourselves a great chance of doing that.”

Liverpool fell to a cruel 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield in the reverse fixture and Beard says that his side can take confidence from that game.

He said “Definitely [take confidence]. If I remember that game, I think we only had two fit midfield players, so to lose it on a moment of brilliance from Bunny Shaw and the pass into her was frustrating for us. Over time, they’ve been close games.

“We don’t fear anyone. We’ve got a near-fully-fit squad to choose from and the plus for me is that we’ve got Leanne Kiernan scoring goals, Sophie Román Haug’s back, Mia Enderby got on the scoresheet at the weekend and Marie Höbinger got on the scoresheet and got an assist. From that side of things, we are starting to see the team of old.”

Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw has terrorised Liverpool over the last couple of seasons and Beard explained how teams may be able to limit the player’s threat.

He said “She’s world-class, she’s powerful and knows where the goal is. I think I’ve seen two games where she’s struggled a bit; one was where Sophie Howard was really physical with her and when we played them a couple of years ago with Niamh Fahey who reads the game very well. You need to have a defender up against her that’s astute and knows when to get tight and when to drop off.

“Her record speaks for itself. She’s definitely a top player but these are the games that you want to thrive in, especially defenders testing yourself against the best.”

Liverpool’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Manchester City kicks-off at 6.45pm on Sunday evening.