Liverpool 2-2 Spurs (WSL) | Robert's verdict

Robert Vilahamn highlighted the need to improve from defending set-pieces, but he was left overly pleased with the performance in our 2-2 draw at Liverpool in Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday.

Having fallen behind on 12 minutes at St Helens Stadium after Sophie Roman Haug converted from close range, we fought back once again and turned the game into our favour just after the half-hour mark.

An own goal from Rachael Laws got us on level terms before Clare Hunt, who was one of three changes to the starting XI, forced home Maite Oroz’ corner to put us ahead in the contest. However, six minutes into the second period, the Reds got back onto level terms when Haug grabbed her second of the game with a header.

Both sides pushed for a winner on Merseyside and, although the home side put the pressure on in stoppage time, we came the closest to the winning goal but Martha Thomas could only guide her point-blank header wide of the target.

“A tough game, but a good game,” Robert told us. “I think both teams were pushing to win the game, we had some brilliant attacks and we scored some good goals, but we also need to defend parts of the game better because they’re strong and the set-pieces was a highlight in the game.”

Robert on the response after conceding early…

“We need to get better at not conceding the first goal in the early stages of the game, it was too easy for them to score from that corner. But I’m happy that we continued to play and scored those two goals in the first half. In the second half, we wanted to make sure that we managed the game a little bit better, but they had a good corner kick routine to make it 2-2 and then it’s an even game where they tried to push with a lot of crosses and corners, then we had a really good chance at the end. But, overall, it’s still a decent performance I would say.”

Robert on improving from defensive set-pieces…

“We’re defending with everything we can, we’re really tight when defending but those set-pieces, the first one wasn’t good enough, the second one was good from them, but we need to improve them because set plays can actually win games for you and we could have won this game. But, overall, we take a draw as it’s away to Liverpool and we’re coming in from a bad run of games, so it’s about looking at it in a positive way as well.”

Robert on our two goals in the first half…

“If you look at the first goal, it comes from the build-up with the goalkeeper, how we want to play through lines, how we want to attack, the one-on-one for Jess [Naz] and she has shown some good form now. It was good determination from Bethany [England] and, although it’s an own goal, she’s there to make it happen. It was a good delivery from Maite [Oroz] and it was nice to see Clare [Hunt] there, good to have her back.”

Robert on returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next weekend…

“I love our stadium, I love our fans, so I’m really looking forward to that game. Even if it has been a tough run where we haven’t won for a while, I hope we can go there and get the win for them, and make sure we become the first team to beat Chelsea this season because we want to finish on a high.”

Robert on finishing the season strongly with our final two games…

“You need to get over the finish line, we can’t stop now. We need to make sure we complete this season, together with the fans, together with the players and staff, then you can summarise everything. You need to be honest afterwards, we need to improve in many details because we want to be better next season. We need to complete this season in a good way and have some good energy when we go to the summer break.”