Liverpool manager Matt Beard called out the "disappointing" quality of the pitch at Goodison Park after his side's goalless derby draw with Everton in the Women's Super League.
The Reds entered the contest with form on their side having extended their unbeaten league run to four games after a 3-1 win over West Ham United. Everton, meanwhile, have battled through a litany of injuries this season as they sit third from the table's bottom.
The injury crisis did not abate on Sunday for the Toffees, but as Liverpool struggled to impart any quality on the match themselves, a dull derby encounter left a crowd of 9,457 will little to cheer about throughout despite two half-decent chances from Everton in the second-half.
And despite the draw seeing Liverpool leapfrog Manchester United in the WSL table to fourth after United's loss to Manchester City on Saturday, Beard bemoaned the occasion for not "feeling like a derby" and laid blame for the encounter's lurching nature to the condition of the pitch.
"It didn't feel like a derby. The pitch was dry, the grass was long - it slowed a lot down," said Beard.
Fan fury after just four of Euro 22 winning Lioness squad given New Year honours
"There were a lot of injuries and the game kept getting stopped. It was disappointing to play on a Premier League ground and the pitch to be as long and slow as it was."
Beard added: "It definitely had an effect on our game. But if we can't win it, we need to take a point and we did that. [It was] definitely a missed opportunity in the first half, I felt we were really comfortable and dominated the game.
"We need to be more clinical in the moments when we get into good positions. So to not take those opportunities was frustrating."
The Merseyside derby was criticised for being 'flat' by Liverpool boss Matt Beard (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)The strength of the crowd at Goodison Park came under fire from some corners, as the Merseyside derby has generally attracted larger crowds than the less than 10,000 who showed up on Sunday.
"I don't have an answer as to why there wasn't more because it's Sunday, 1pm, there should be," Beard said. "I saw a lot of families in the stands. But I was just happy there was a good crowd and they created a good atmosphere."
Liverpool remain one point clear of United in fourth as they face Manchester City next Saturday.
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
