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Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool Women drew against last-place Bristol City on Sunday in a game they were heavily favoured in.
Liverpool FC Women have taken a massive step forward this season, establishing themselves as a legitimate top half side in the FA Women’s Super League and challenging for the European places.
Along with improved performances and results, though, come growing expectations. And those new, higher expectations make Sunday’s draw with Bristol City a frustrating and disappointing result.
“We were off it today,” said manager Matt Beard of Sunday’s game, a 1-1 draw that sees Bristol claw their way off the bottom of the FAWSL table and has them now a point ahead of West Ham.
“I think we were lucky to get a point, to be honest. I think Bristol deserved something, definitely. It’s disappointing for us, because these games are tough sometimes and we just weren’t at the races
“But we need to make sure we learn from that. At the end that you don’t have a divine right to win football matches, you have to earn the right, and unfortunately for us today we got outworked.”
Rotation is expected for the Lady Reds on Wednesday as they face Everton in match four of five in the WSL Cup group stage before a return to league play against Manchester United on Sunday.
Currently, United are three points ahead of Liverpool in fourth, with Manchester City then a point better in third—the final qualification place for next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
“It’s been a frustrating schedule,” Beard added. “November and December, six games in 22 days, four international games, then another three. It’s tough, but we will utilise the squad again on Wednesday.
“This year the league is our priority and I think we’ve got a great chance of [finishing near the top]. That’s why today was so frustrating, because we could have kept in touch with the top three.”
