Liverpool Women, on an actually good run of form, took their updated squad down to meet the reigning champions at their home turf on Sunday, facing Chelsea Women at Kingsmeadow. Fresh off an uplifting win against Aston Villa, the Red Women were brought back down to Earth by goals from Sjoeke Nusken and Lauren James in both halves, losing the match 2-0.
Gareth Taylor, comparing the side to earlier opponent Manchester United, was optimistic about the squad is headed in his post-match press conference, but did recognize that there is always work to be done.
“A little bit disappointed because we had large spells of the game and I thought the identity we showed today was more of what I was looking for,” the manager said to Sky Sports.
“We put this game in the same category as Manchester United a couple of weeks ago, but I think they were contrasting kind of performances and we felt that we were always in this game.
“I know people will probably point to the fact that we equalised against United, but just thinking [about] the way we want to do things, the way that we want to play and the courage and bravery we showed, we were really good today in moments.
“We didn’t make enough of our opportunities, particularly in the first half. We worked Hannah Hampton a little bit more in the second half and also, really, I said to the girls, we would be disappointed with the goals because I think they’re on us.”
Chelsea are a hard team to beat on any day, though they’re not currently in first and have lost two of their last three, so keeping them to only two goals is worth mentioning, even if it doesn’t feel great. Sjoeke Nusken scored in the 40th minute, with Lauren James adding the second just after the hour mark, so it is a testament to how hard the Red Women pushed the current champions. Taylor did give some individual flowers to standout performers on the day, as well.
“We collapsed a little on either side for each of the goals and that can be frustrating because you know that pretty much everything’s got to go your way when you play against the likes of Chelsea because of the quality of players that they have,” Taylor explained.
“But all in all, I do believe it’s a step forward for us, for us to come here and have large parts of the possession that we did today and control large parts of the game with some good performances in that.
“I thought Fuka [Nagano] was very good, Fisky [Grace Fisk], was very good, Jennifer Falk really, really improved today. So, overall, pleased, [it’s a] step forward but a little bit disappointed that we didn’t get something from the game.”
With every loss there is something to learn for the future, and especially with this updated squad and new manager, there are still quite a few knots to work out to restart the winning momentum.
“It never changes, football – it’s always the top end of the pitch,” the manager continued.
“I think just having that craft and the decision-making and again like we say about the game, it’s always won in both boxes. We need to defend better, we need be better in the duels.
“Chelsea are a very physical team we know that’s a real strength of theirs so that’s something we need to improve on and if we’re not going to be mega-great in the duels then we’ve got to be really good with the ball.”
Liverpool next host Everton in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at St. Helen’s Stadium on Sunday, February 22, at 4:30pm BST.