Beard vents frustration as Liverpool crash out of FA Cup

Matt Beard cut a frustrated figure after Liverpool lost 2-0 to Leicester to miss out on a place in the Women's FA Cup semi-finals.

The Reds sit two places and nine points above the Foxes in the Women's Super League but were undone by a Jutta Rantala double at Prenton Park.

It puts an end to the Merseysiders' dreams of winning the FA Cup for the first time and Beard feels his side did not get going.

He said: "I'm frustrated for so many different reasons.

"I felt our use of the ball wasn't what it has been, first half especially, first 10 minutes.

"When you don't get control of the game, it becomes a bit like a basketball match — it was up there.

"It was a frustrating afternoon. We've had chances to score and haven't taken them, and we've been punished with the two that we gifted them.

"We made a lot of changes at the top end of the pitch, we ended up going to a front three.

"But sometimes you've got to give the opposition credit. I think they defended really well, especially stopping the crosses going in.

"It's a bad day at the office for us and one we have to just move on from it quickly."

Liverpool now have over a week to prepare for their WSL clash with West Ham and Beard is confident the Reds can bounce back despite their cup disappointment.

He added: "We'll be fine. Whenever we've had a setback we've always regrouped and gone again.

"So I'm confident in us doing that. We turn our attention to West Ham now and make sure that we're ready and focused for that."