Despite Liverpool’s women coming from behind to score a point at Goodison Park, manager Matt Beard was disappointed with the decision that cost his visiting team victory.
In front of more than 22,000 fans, Gabby George put Everton ahead among the women midway through the first half, making a cross-kick in her hundredth match for the hosts.
Before the break, Katie Stengel equalized with Liverpool, and after the break, Leyanne Roeb decided that she had completed the U-turn by implementing a skillfully worked corner kick.
However, the celebration did not last long, as the referee ruled out a goal and pointed to the ground for a free kick in favor of Everton.
The foul was apparently called on the grounds that Keri Holland pushed Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan in the build-up. After the ball hit the net, the goalkeeper rushed to the referee to protest against the goal.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsWSL/status/1639367619169107969
This rightly angered the Reds manager Byrd, as there were no more goals scored that night.
After the match, the Liverpool boss complained: “I’m upset because I just saw an uncounted goal, and it should not have been canceled. According to the moments we created, we should have won the game.
“This one hundred percent should have stood.”
Speaking to Sky Sports, he added: “To be honest, I can’t believe it, it’s crazy.
“We had enough chances to win, and this one more decision cost us three points.”
The Liverpool players were also puzzled by the uncounted goal.
While the missed opportunity to score three points is disappointing, the frustration shown shows how much Liverpool have improved since the 3-0 defeat at Anfield compared to the same opponent in September.
Missy Bo Kearns said: “I think we deserved more than just a point — we created a lot of chances and scored a goal, they had a world match.
“It’s obviously frustrating. We think we should have scored three points, but that’s football; at least we create chances.”
Stengel echoed her thoughts, saying, “Our performance was much better for 90 minutes. Yes, we are upset with the result, but it is better than defeat…
“There are things we can work on, but we leave a little disappointed.”
Holland, who was the player who fouled the goalkeeper, subsequently reacted on social media, as did Kerns and the fans:
One of the worst refereeing decisions I've ever seen! https://t.co/sOG40wxOW2
— Ste Hoare (@stehoare) March 24, 2023
https://twitter.com/Swell09/status/1639548206479466496
Liverpool’s next women’s match will take place on April 2 against West Ham at Victoria Road Stadium in Dagenham and Redbridge.
