Matt Beard moots January transfer activity at Liverpool Women
Matt Beard has revealed he has “one eye” on the January transfer window as he suggests incomings will be targeted for his Liverpool Women’s side.
The Reds had a blockbuster summer transfer window, crowned off with the club-record signing of Olivia Smith from Sporting CP.
However, with his side in sixth place in the Women’s Super League, seven points adrift of leaders Manchester City, Beard will not rest on his laurels in January as revealed in his Liverpool Women’s column [31 October].
He said: “I know we have got a tough period of games coming up but if you look at our record against the top teams, it has been good since we came back into the WSL. We hope that continues.
“I’m sure we will turn the corner and we’ve got one eye on the January window already. We are working hard behind the scenes to improve the team for January that will create more depth and more competition.
“I don’t think we are in a bad position but there is still plenty for us to do.”
Liverpool Women to bolster the squad in the January transfer window
The Reds have been underwhelming, to say the least, in the WSL this term with only one victory in the opening five matches of the season.
Beard’s side had looked to have turned a corner after Marie Hobinger secured a 3-2 win against Tottenham with a 95th-minute penalty, however, a 2-1 loss against Manchester City at Anfield and a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at St Helens have pushed the side further down the league table.
Now, the incredible fourth-place finish achieved last term is at the risk of looking like a fluke season, and despite breaking the transfer record for Smith, Beard seemingly feels more investment into his squad is needed.
The 20-year-old has hit the ground running on Merseyside with two goals in five WSL outings, undoubtedly money well spent, and fellow summer signing Cornelia Kapocs is now off the mark with her goal against Palace.
However, with a clash against Aston Villa next and a reunion with Missy Bo Kearns, the question remains whether the side needs investment or whether Beard is failing to get the most out of the players at his disposal.
Regardless, Beard has earned good faith with the club after last season’s exploits and the boss will be given ample time to turn around his fortunes in the WSL.
But, with Fenway Sports Group showing a statement of intent to the Women’s side with significant investment throughout the summer, the supporters can only wait and see whether the owners will repeat the feat if necessary in January.
In other Liverpool news, one Reds player badly struggled against Brighton, Arne Slot felt he was ‘unlucky’.
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