ReactionGareth Taylor 'very pleased' by Liverpool's progress in Women's FA Cup
The Reds overcame London Bees at The Hive on Sunday afternoon to earn a spot in the draw for the fifth round of the competition.
New signings Denise O'Sullivan, Martha Thomas and Alice Bergstrom (two) were all on the scoresheet in Barnet, alongside efforts from Mia Enderby and Gemma Evans.
Read on below for the head coach's reaction to the victory post-match…
On the victory and progress in the competition...
Very pleased. I think it was a decent performance from the girls. We were never really sure with how they would come in terms of their setup, but they went into a low block quite early in the game. That can make it quite difficult but obviously Denise scoring early on really helped us play a little bit more relaxed and less anxious.
We created some good opportunities and made some changes in the second half. We didn't lose the level really. I'm pleased for the players who got an opportunity and pleased for the new players too. Martha Thomas scoring a goal I think is really important for her and she did really well. Alice Bergstrom scored a couple as well and we also thought Maizie Trueman should've had a debut goal - which was ruled out for offside - but it didn't look like offside.
On the new signings getting on the scoresheet...
It will [help]. It's great to get Martha in because she won't be able to play next week against Spurs, which is a bit of a blow, but it is what it is. I think it's good intention from us to bring someone with that quality and WSL experience. She knows how to play the game and will suit us really well. I think today when we play against a low block and a back five you need to put balls into the box and she attacks crosses really well - probably better than any other striker in the WSL. Denise's experience helps the team as well and I think she'll be a really big asset to us.
On his preparations for facing London Bees...
We managed to get footage and we watched their game against Fulham where they were more 4-4-2. We train concepts... that allows the players to be ready for no matter what they come up against and you have to give credit to our players for that and being intelligent in what areas of the pitch to take up.
On whether the victory can give his team some 'momentum' in the WSL...
Of course. We've still got a little bit of work to do in the window. I think that Anna Josendal is obviously going to be a good signing for us in the future. Unfortunately she's got an injury so is going to miss the next couple of weeks. The quicker we can get her back in the team [the better]. You know in the WSL when there's 10 games left and before you know it you're down to real low figures and there's still a bit of work to do. I think that helps the team and that's what we were looking to do. I think that was what was needed last summer but at that point we couldn't make the moves we wanted to and we had to wait until now to do that.
On Maizie Trueman becoming the club's youngest ever player in the professional era...
We like Maizie and we know she's very young. We know physically she's got a long way to go but that's normal. She's trained with the first team a lot this season so we're really happy with her and we just felt it was a game today for her. I know she's been on the bench for us recently, but the game today looked like it was really fitting for her to be able to make her first start.
I thought she did well. Nothing really fazes her. I think when you're playing with someone who has the experience of Denise O'Sullivan alongside you that's really going to help. It was a nice touch today because she's on the pitch with Paz [Lucy Parry] who was the previous holder of that young player [record]. I think she has a bright future and the longer we can continue to develop her [the better]. Going forward there will probably be limitations on actually getting on the pitch but the training she's having with these international players is priceless.