'Those two games taught me more'
Matt Beard learned more about his Liverpool Ladies side from 180 minutes of UEFA Women's Champions League football against FC Linkopings than he did throughout consecutive title-winning seasons.
Beard's arrival on Merseyside in August 2012 heralded a new beginning for the club's Ladies side - and within 13 months of the former Chelsea man's appointment as manager, history had been made by his team.
Scenes of jubilation played out at Halton Stadium on September 29, 2013 when Bristol Rovers were defeated 2-0, meaning Gemma Bonner became the first Liverpool captain to lift the Women's Super League trophy.
Fast forward just over a year to October 2014 and the same stadium in Widnes was the backdrop for more unprecedented drama as the Reds, cheered on by their faithful army of fans, retained the title in dramatic fashion.
Beard's team jumped from third to first in the standings on the final day of the campaign after their two rivals for the league, Chelsea and Birmingham City, both faltered in their fixtures, leaving the Reds top of the table.
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Spirits could scarcely be dampened after such a stunning feat; however, there was a shock to the system in store in the days that followed, as the Ladies crashed out of the Champions League following a 4-2 aggregate reversal at the hands of Linkopings.
"I learned more in those two games against Linkopings than I did in probably the two years that I've been at the club," Beard told Liverpoolfc.com at the Ladies' Player of the Year awards dinner on Monday night.
"There was a difference in the level, physically, in terms of pace and fitness. We're no slouches when it comes to that, but you're talking the top, top level. We learned more in those two games than we did in the two years domestically.
"If we can recruit well in the off-season, we'll be in a great position next year. We'll be seeded in the Champions League the year after as well, so that will give us a bit of an easier time in the early stages.
"Our aim is to defend our title again. I think to defend it is a difficult thing to do. But I've learned a lot this year as a manager. We want to do better in the cup competitions and progress in the Champions League."
For Beard, arriving at the club two years ago, the challenge was to break the stronghold which the formidable Arsenal Ladies had exerted over the women's sport - and it was with great conviction that he set about dismantling the Gunners' legacy.
"The first time we won the Super League, to break Arsenal's dominance was a massive success," he explained. "They still had Kim Little, Gemma Davison, Ellen White and they were still the big players in the division.
"So to break that dominance was special. This year was slightly different. We lost some key players in the close-season in Whitney Engen and Louise Fors. Then, unfortunately, we lost two players to long-term injuries as well, which really did hinder the strength and depth which we had within the squad."
Ladies captain Bonner believes last season's success was brought about by the fighting spirit which injuries to key players necessitated - and a battling mentality which the team displayed on several occasions throughout the campaign.
"A massive thing for us last season was the character and the belief within the squad," she explained. "It got us through a lot of games and won us a lot.
"Coming into the last game of the season, a lot of people had written us off, as they had done through the season - but we stuck together as a team and we came away victorious.
"We had to overcome a lot. We had a lot of injuries and a lot of players missing. We really had to pull together as a squad this year and it's not been easy at times. But the hard work that the girls and the back-room staff put in deserved the just rewards in the end.
"We've got to push on next year. We're disappointed with the Champions League campaign that we had, but we've qualified again so hopefully we can use that experience and push on next year."
