Inside track on Liverpool | Beth Lindop, Reach | OneFootball

Following a winning start to our Women’s League Cup campaign in midweek, we return to Barclays Women’s Super League action this weekend.

We are back at Brisbane Road on Sunday afternoon (2.15pm UK, live on BBC TWO) as we face Liverpool.

Matt Beard’s side recorded an impressive fourth-place finish last season, but have endured a mixed start to their WSL campaign with consecutive 1-1 draws with Leicester City and West Ham.

Ahead of their visit to the capital on Sunday, we spoke to Reach’s Beth Lindop to get a lowdown on The Reds…

How would you reflect on The Reds’ start to the WSL campaign?

Beth: "I think most Liverpool fans, and probably even the players, would concede that their start to the season has been a little bit disappointing.  The fixture list was relatively kind to them, with Leicester City at home and West Ham United away - two winnable fixtures to get their WSL League campaign underway.

"The fact That Liverpool could only manage to draw both of those games does not bode massively well for the club’s hopes of bettering last season’s fourth-place finish this term. That the Reds surrendered a one-goal advantage in both of those games is also frustrating.

"That said, it is still very early days and Liverpool have a lot of quality. They showed last season they’re capable of beating anyone on their day so they’re definitely not to be taken lightly."

Who are the key players to look out for this weekend?

Beth: "Summer signing Olivia Smith has already made a fantastic impression at the AXA Melwood Training Centre and her superb goal against West Ham showed exactly why Liverpool were so keen to make her their club-record signing.

"Sophie Roman Haug is also a real threat in the air, while Leanne Kiernan and Mia Enderby have provided plenty of pace and trickery off the bench.

Watch out for Marie Hobinger’s set-piece deliveries, too. They’ve been a real weapon for Liverpool since she arrived at the club in the summer of 2023, with Matt having likened her ability to whip the ball in with both feet to the legendary Fara Williams."

How important has Matt Beard been in the growth of the Club?

Beth: "Matt has been absolutely crucial to turning Liverpool’s fortunes around over the past few years.

"He helped the Reds gain promotion from the Championship and has now established them as WSL mainstays, as well as overseeing their move into the state-of-the-art AXA Melwood Training Centre.

"He probably doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves but he is hugely respected at Liverpool and within the women’s game. It would be nice to see him crown his second spell on Merseyside with some silverware over the next few years."

What are the expectations for this campaign after a fourth-placed finish last term?

Beth: "Matt has been pretty open about the fact that improving on last season’s fourth-place finish will be difficult.

"The quality within the WSL is improving year on year and Liverpool are still playing catch-up to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

"Considering how strong Manchester United have looked so far this season and how well Tottenham and Aston Villa are both playing, I think finishing in the top half of the table and going on a cup run would represent a solid season for Liverpool."