Liverpool 3-1 West Ham United: Leanne Kiernan scores as hosts maintain top-four challenge

Liverpool manager Matt Beard said his side are “enjoying the moment” after they maintained their bid to break into the Women’s Super League top four with victory over West Ham.

The home side doubled their lead five minutes after the break when Missy Bo Kearns headed in from Ceri Holland’s pinpoint cross.

A superb volley from Sophie Roman Haug then sealed the win before Riko Ueki’s late consolation for West Ham.

Beard told BBC Radio Merseyside that his side’s performances so far this season has been a “huge achievement”.

Liverpool stay fifth, level on points with Manchester United in fourth, while West Ham remain six points clear of the relegation place in 11th after their 10th loss of the season.

Beard said: “I think what we’ve done already is a huge achievement, we’re just enjoying the moment.

“Arsenal getting beaten the other night means we’re three points closer to them.

“We’re aiming to finish as high up the league as we can. It would be great if we finished fourth but it would be even better if we finished third.

“We’ll just try to get as many points as we can.”

A dreary first half eventually came to life with Kiernan and Niamh Fahey both going close shortly before Liverpool’s opener.

West Ham were unhappy that the goal was allowed to stand as they believed goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was fouled as she collided with Holland and team-mate Amber Tysiak attempting to cut out Jasmine Matthews’ cross.

The ball evaded all three of them, though, and Republic of Ireland striker Kiernan was able to mark St Patrick’s Day with a simple finish for her first WSL goal of the season.

West Ham had the chance to level before the break but Ueki’s shot was saved by Rachael Laws and Viviane Asseyi skewed the rebound wide.

Kearns added to Liverpool’s lead soon after the restart following good work from Holland on the left before Haug stretched to finish expertly after another Holland cross was flicked on by Fahey.

Asseyi missed another glorious opportunity to pull one back between the goals as her shot looped over after a good cut-back from substitute Jess Ziu.

Rehanne Skinner’s side did eventually get on the scoresheet when Ueki capitalised on a poor pass out from Laws to put the ball into an unguarded net.

Reds bounce back after FA Cup disappointment

Following the frustration of a home defeat by Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend, this was an encouraging response from Liverpool.

Beard said bouncing back was “really important”.

They remained patient throughout the non-event that was the first 35 minutes of the match and, after some good fortune with the bobble that took the ball through to Kiernan to open the scoring, they were comfortably the better side in the second half.

“I thought it was a good team performance,,” added the Liverpool manager.

“I’m really pleased. The goals were well-taken as well so I think there’s loads of positives we can take from today.”

What few chances West Ham had after the break came from moments of sloppiness in possession from Liverpool.

They were rare, though, with Matt Beard’s side passing the ball crisply and showing far more intent and creativity than in the first period.

With their last chance of silverware this season gone and Champions League qualification through a top-three finish highly unlikely, Liverpool’s focus will be on trying to finish above United to break up the established ‘big four’.

With six games to go of a hugely positive season, they have given themselves every chance.