Gareth Taylor on ambitions, squad fitness and aims in attack ahead of London Bees

Liverpool head coach Gareth Taylor, spoke to the media at the AXA Melwood Training Facility on January 16, ahead of his side’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup Fourth Round tie against London Bees on January 18.

With Liverpool currently sitting bottom of the Barclays Women’s Super League table, Taylor emphasised the importance of using the FA Cup as an opportunity to build confidence, rhythm, and clarity in performances, while remaining realistic about the challenges ahead.

FA Cup Significance and Mindset

Despite Liverpool’s league struggles, Taylor stressed that the FA Cup remains a competition of great value and tradition:

“It’s a unique competition, just as it was for me as a player. Although teams may not always prioritise it, it’s the one competition that has been genuinely respected over the years. That’s what makes the FA Cup so beautiful- the underdog versus the team that’s expected to win”.

He acknowledged the expectations placed on his side in the tie and highlighted the mindset required to navigate such fixtures:

“We know what we are in this tie; we’re supposed to win. But that dynamic-the underdog and the team expected to win is what creates the unpredictability of the FA Cup”. 

Taylor underlined the importance of focus and composure, pointing to the history of upsets across both the men’s and women’s games:

“The underdog often plays with more composure and less anxiety than the team expected to win. That’s why upsets happen. That dynamic doesn’t change”.

Squad Rotation and Transfer Developments

Taylor explained that the FA Cup presents an opportunity to manage minutes and involve players who have featured less frequently this season:

It’s a chance to think about some other players who haven’t played as much. They provide strong support to the group and allow us to adjust.” 

Liverpool remains limited in attacking options, but Taylor expressed optimism that recent signings and upcoming returns will help alleviate that issue:

“We’re still restricted at the top end of the pitch due to availability. Bringing in Anna Josendal is positive, although she’s probably a couple of weeks away from being ready. The transfer window remains open, and we’re hopeful of doing more business”.  

Attacking Focus and Goalscoring Challenges

Taylor acknowledged that goalscoring has been a recurring issue this season, particularly following key departures in the summer:

“Putting the ball in the back of the net is the hardest thing to do. We lost quality players in the summer, and that’s naturally had an impact”.

While external expectations often assume a comfortable result in FA Cup ties, Taylor was keen to manage those assumptions:

“People expect big wins in games like this, but nothing is a given. Teams make it difficult, and we must earn everything”.  

He added that training sessions have focused on improving attacking efficiency:

“We’re working to strengthen the players we already have in those areas and put them in the right situations. If you’re not scoring enough goals, you must improve that- it’s as simple as that”.

Defensive Structure and Stability

Despite challenges at the top end of the pitch, Taylor highlighted positive defensive signs, including a recent clean sheet:

“The clean sheet was a plus. We know how narrow the margins can be, especially at this level. Jennifer Falk’s composure has helped, and Grace Fisk’s return has made a real difference defensively”.

Taylor stressed the importance of defensive solidity while attacking improvements are ongoing:

“If we’re not scoring many goals, we can’t afford to concede many either”.

Player Fitness Update

Taylor provided an update on player availability ahead of the FA Cup tie: 

“Grace Fisk has been back since the start of the new year. Leanne Kiernan is getting closer, while Hannah Silcock won’t feature in the next two games. Sam Kerr, Marie Höbinger, Sofie Lundgaard and Zara Shaw are all recovering”.

He also confirmed clarity regarding Rafaela Borggrafe’s situation:

“The FA have completed their investigation. Rafaela won’t be eligible this weekend, but she will be available after that. It’s been a frustrating period, but now we have clarity”.

Opposition Analysis: London Bees

Taylor acknowledged the difficulty of preparing for London Bees due to limited available footage but praised their intensity and physical approach:

“We watched their game against Fulham closely. Regardless of the scoreline, their aggression and physicality were consistent from start to finish”.

He added:

“There’s a real honesty in how they play. They’ll work extremely hard, and it will feel like a proper FA Cup tie”.

Confidence, Mentality and Long-Term Progress

Speaking to HerGameHerWay writer Olivia Rafferty, Taylor highlighted the importance of mental resilience during a challenging league campaign: 

“Football is volatile. The best players can reset quickly and move on from the last moment. That mindset is something this group has”.

He referenced Jennifer Falk’s composure on the international stage as an example of that mentality:

“Everyone makes mistakes-it’s about how you respond”.

On long-term development, Taylor cautioned against judging progress purely on Cup runs:

“The league gives you a clearer picture of where we are. The FA Cup can sometimes be misleading depending on the draw. For us, progress is about performance-how well we play, regardless of the competition”.

Liverpool face London Bees on January 18, with the FA Cup offering an opportunity to build confidence and momentum amid difficult league campaign.