Impetus welcomes Shannon Cookson to our team who will be providing regular coverage on Liverpool. She joined the Reds’ head coach Matt Beard‘s media conference today ahead of their home game with a rampant Arsenal on Sunday (21/10/22).
Above: Liverpool boss Matt Beard spoke to the media earlier today. Photo: Liverpool FC Women.
After three games, Liverpool are currently sitting ninth in the WSL table. So far, the Reds have won one and lost two as they face off to second-place Arsenal at Prenton Park on Sunday. The Gunners have three wins from three games, plus a stunning 5-1 win in Lyon during midweek.
Newly promoted Liverpool beat current champions Chelsea 2-1 to get their campaign off to a great start. January signing Katie Stengel was the star against the reigning champions scoring both penalties for the Reds.
Head coach Matt Beard confirmed in a press conference today that he understands the challenge they face when playing against Arsenal however he is excited at the same time to be a part of this league again and the challenges that will come.
“Like I have said time and time again, this is why we want to be in this league: to be testing ourselves against the best teams. Arsenal have had a fantastic start to the season and obviously the performance against Lyon the other night as well pretty much shows the form they’re in.”
He went on to confirm how he will address his team’s shape ahead of this game: “We’ve been pleased with the way we’ve been playing but we need to address the way we’re starting games. We have adjusted one or two bits in training this week for that. We’re pleased with the way we’re playing; we’ve got different ways of playing in different systems, so we just have to adapt to what Arsenal do.”
Liverpool are without their strikers Leanne Kiernan and Shanice Van De Sanden. Kiernan was the Red’s highest goal scorer last season in the Championship and misses Arsenal’s visit due to an ankle injury which was picked up in the win against Chelsea. Van De Sanden has progressed in training, Beard has confirmed that she will still be out for a couple of weeks with a minor achilles issue.
Ceri Holland and Rhiannon Roberts have recently returned from international duty and Beard outlined the reasons for taking time to consider whether the pair are ready for this week saying: “It wasn’t just the number of minutes that they had played for Wales but also the emotional side of it as well, being so close to that penalty shootout.”
Beard’s side are looking to bounce back after their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last time out. Over the last couple of games, the Reds boss has used the favoured 3-4-3 formation, however, it is quite possible he will change his mind as he competes to beat the team who currently sit second in the table.
Impetus’ Johnathan Stack heard the views of opposing head coach, Arsenal’s Jonas Eidevall in his own media conference today as well – click here to read the article: https://impetusfootball.org/2022/10/21/eidevall-we-need-to-get-back-to-reality-quickly/
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