Beard hoping for strong reaction from Liverpool against West Ham United | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Matt Beard is hoping that his side bounce back well when they face West Ham United at Prenton Park on Sunday.

The Reds suffered a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City last time out as they exited the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.

When suffering setbacks this season, Liverpool have bounced back well and manager Beard is hoping for another strong reaction this weekend.

“It’s been one of our greatest strengths this year [bouncing back],” Beard said when speaking in the pre-match press conference.

“We knew that we were going to have ups and downs this year, we’ve made such good progress in a short space of time. We’ve had a really good training week, the reflection was tough in the debrief on Tuesday because of the uncharacteristic turnovers that we had in the game.

“At the end of the day, we don’t turn up to not win football matches, sometimes you have off-days and I think on another day, Marie’s [Höbinger] chance could go in, maybe Mia [Enderby] scores that one like she did against Manchester City because it was a very similar position.

“We’ve always bounced back well. We know it’s going to be a tough game, it’s a completely different style of game playing against West Ham. We just need to make sure that we focus on ourselves and hopefully, we put the wrongs right from last weekend, this weekend.”

Both Liverpool and their latest opponents West Ham United have taken seven points from their last five games ahead of this weekend’s clash. Beard said that he has not been surprised by The Hammers’ improved form since the start of the year.

He said “If you look at West Ham now, it’s a completely different West Ham team. I think they’ve recruited really, really well.

“It was always going to take a little bit of time. Obviously, Rehanne [Skinner] and Rick Passmoor went in late, so it takes a little bit of time for you to do what you need to do as a coach on the training pitch. From that side, I’m not surprised by the progress that they’ve made since the turn of the year, especially with the players that they’ve brought in. They’ve brought in experience in the backline and midfield.

“I think they’re playing well and it’s definitely going to be a tough afternoon. It’s a game we are looking forward to.”

Liverpool’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against West Ham United kicks-off at 12pm on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are on-sale and are available to purchase by clicking here.