Although Liverpool Women were finally able to get a goal in the Barclay’s Women’s Super League, they were still defeated on Sunday afternoon by hosts Tottenham Hotpsur, and still have yet to win a match in the league. The Women have been dealing with their own tragedies this season, in addition to the new manager imposing a new system, and an injury list that just keeps getting longer. Mia Enderby unfortunately looked to join that list in extra time after being stretchered off, and with two major injuries already, it doesn’t look great for the young forward.
“It’s not nice to see. Obviously [she was] stretchered off and I’ve not had an opportunity to speak to the medical department,” Gareth Taylor said following the match of Enderby’s injury.
“I think she has gone to hospital but hopefully she is OK. At one point I thought she was going to re-enter in terms of getting back up and start to play again but with those types of injuries it’s really crucial we take care of them.”
The game itself was a mixed bag, with Beata Olsson scoring for the first time, but goals from Bethany England and Toko Koga canceled out the excitement. Taylor also had use for two natural fullbacks for the first time but decided to switch positions for Ceri Holland and Cornelia Kapocs, and Kapocs wasn’t particularly effective in the midfield role. Even after scoring the first the Red Women were able to attack and looked ready for a second, but the advantage is lost when Lily Woodham gets a bloody nose from a ball to the face and Spurs are allowed to take a corner while she’s getting treated.
“I thought we started the game OK. We scored a good goal. I don’t think either team were playing at their best,” Taylor continued.
“We certainly could’ve exploited a bit more when we had those moments particularly at 1-0. But then we give away a really bad goal from a set play when Lily [Woodham] is off the pitch at that time which is frustrating.
“We just need to be tougher in those moments to see it out. It was just a little bit naive particularly from that set play and then you give a team like Tottenham, who have got good options to come from the sidelines as well, an opportunity to get a foothold in the game.”
There is no doubt that the club are in a tough period at the moment. With their only wins coming in the cup competitions, morale is understandably pretty low. Taylor also acknowledged that there have been really difficult things to deal with off the pitch, and unfortunately it is just a period to get through.
“It’s really tough. We all need support at the club because we’ve had a lot that’s obviously happened both on and off the pitch. On the pitch we’re not getting the necessary results that we want,” the manager explained.
“Of course, we don’t expect to be top of the league, we’re realistic and we know we’re at the start of a really, really long project. But, of course, you want to see some positive moments and I think we’ve seen glimpses. It’s just we’re not able to sustain it for long enough in a game of 90 minutes.”
The injuries certainly helping either, with the squad running thin and we’re barely in November. Taylor had previously hinted at wanting to do some business in January and though he didn’t mention it again today, he did also point out that we simply didn’t have enough talent on the bench.
“We didn’t have anything from the sidelines today unfortunately. It’s not ideal when you have to play a 21-year-old Hannah Silcock up on the right side. We just have to battle through it. The message is clear,” Taylor said.
“We’re working so hard as staff, players and everyone at the club to turn this into a better situation. But it takes a bit of time and a bit of support. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen at the moment, we’re getting knocked a bit - but we’ll keep fighting.”