Beard shares Smith injury update for Liverpool Women ahead of Crystal Palace clash
Matt Beard has revealed Olivia Smith will be available to face Crystal Palace after her half-time removal in the 2-1 loss against Manchester City.
The 20-year-old gave the Reds the lead heading into the break at Anfield on Sunday [13 October] with a spectacular long-range strike, but she suffered an injury scare following the goal and was replaced by Mia Enderby for the second half.
Khadija Shaw scored a brace in the second 45 minutes, including a 92nd-minute winner in a crushing blow in the Women’s Super League. However, Beard has given the fans a boost with the news Smith will be available this coming weekend.
“Smithy is fine now after coming off at half-time,” he said to the club’s official website [17 October].
“She got a whack on the back in the box and then when she got caught after her strike for the goal, it just jarred her back again and she was then uncomfortable at a point to run, so we needed to see the bigger picture and it was just one of those unfortunate things.
“She trained partly on Wednesday and will be in full training tomorrow [Friday] and available for Sunday.”
Liverpool Women will need Olivia Smith against Crystal Palace
The Reds will feel a golden opportunity to gain ground in the WSL was wasted last week as the side threw away a one-goal lead against last year’s runners-up.
Liverpool dominated the exchanges for the opening 45 minutes but emerged from half-time shell-shocked after Smith’s absence, and the gulf in quality between the sides decided the result.
There are plenty of positives to take from the result but the fact remains that Manchester City were there for the taking at Anfield and the side failed to capitalise.
Beard can take solace in Smith’s availability to go again on the weekend. Cornelia Kapocs, in particular, was non-existent, but the side will be further strengthened with Ceri Holland and Grace Fisk in contention to return against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool have thus far looked like a shadow of the side that recorded a fourth-placed finish in the WSL last season, and they now trail Manchester City by five points after only one win in four outings to start the campaign.
The Reds boss will need to go back to the drawing board ahead of what now proves to be a must-win clash at St Helens on Sunday (13 October). Anything less than three points and the wheels may soon fall off after so much promise heading into the new season.
In other Liverpool news, an update on Alisson’s injury has emerged at the Reds.
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