Matt Beard was appointed Liverpool manager for a second time in 2021
Liverpool boss Matt Beard criticised his side's work-rate after a disappointing home draw with Crystal Palace in the Women's Super League.
The Reds fell behind in the 14th minute after their former striker Katie Stengel opened her goal account for Palace, before Cornelia Kapocs levelled with a lovely finish.
With the visitors looking the most likely to find a winner, Beard did not hold back in his post-match assessment as Liverpool go into the international break with just one WSL win.
"We were lucky to get that point to be honest," said Beard to BBC Radio 5 Live. "I'm disappointed with the whole performance. I think our DNA is work-rate, being aggressive and we were so passive today with and without the ball.
"I thought Palace wanted it more than us, pulling out of tackles. On that front, we need to get to the bottom of why that is because it's super frustrating."
Stengel, who left the Reds in 2023 after scoring 17 times in 33 games, gave the visitors the lead after prodding home from close range as the home defence failed to clear.
Liverpool pulled themselves level 23 minutes later when Kapocs picked up the ball on the left-hand side of the area and powered in a lovely finish.
Early in the second half, Gemma Bonner denied Palace when she put her body on the line with a brilliant piece of defending as she threw herself in front of Stengel's goal-bound strike.
Liverpool's record signing, Olivia Smith, thought she had won it for the Reds late on but her superb strike from 25 yards struck the foot of the post.
Liverpool visit Aston Villa on 3 November after the international break, while Palace next host Manchester City on the same day.
Blanchard's fine form puts her into England reckoning
Annabel Blanchard joined Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers in 2022
After just five games in the WSL, Annabel Blanchard has already made a name for herself.
The 23-year-old is the source of almost everything dangerous that comes from the Palace attack and she caused the Liverpool defence all sorts of problems.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright even appealed on his Instagram account for Sarina Wiegman to add Blanchard to the Lionesses squad, saying: "I would love to see Sarina call her up, just to have a look."
The forward is gifted with fantastic awareness, knowing when to hold the ball or bring her team-mates into play, while also proving a goal threat.
At times, Blanchard toyed with the Reds backline and could have had a number of assists to her name, had chances been taken.
Palace have won just once so far this term with Blanchard netting both goals in a 2-0 win at Leicester and, if she maintains her fine form, it may only be a matter of time before she gains the senior cap to add to her England youth appearances.
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