Liverpool FC Women Complete Loan Signings For Julia Bartel and Sam Kerr
Matt Beard has brought in midfield reinforcements through the end of the season.
The Liverpool FC Women have struggled for depth in their midfield this season after seeing Missy Bo Kearns and Miri Taylor leave over the summer, and Sofie Lundgaard tearing her ACL early in the season. Matt Beard was clear to supporters and journalists that he had very little budget to work with in an attempt to address the position over the winter, with loan deals more likely than anything permanent during the January window.
Last week, the Reds announced two loan deals for midfield players. The first was Sam Kerr, a 25 year old Scotswoman who has played sparingly for Bayern Munich over the last season and a half. Kerr will wear the number 24 shirt for the rest of this season, and is expected to bring an energetic and physical presence. Matt Beard has been interested in Kerr for some time, with the Reds attempting to have signed her before she moved to Germany. Beard feels that Kerr has grown from her experience.
“She had some ups and downs with the injury and then was not a regular starter, which she had been used to,” said Beard of the Scottish midfielder.
“ I think we are getting a more rounded player this time around and I’m looking forward to working with her.”
The Reds announced a day later that they had also captured the loan signing of Julia Bartel from Chelsea. The young Spaniard moved from Barcelona to Chelsea this summer, but has not featured for the senior team as of yet. At just 20 years old, however, she is known to have great technical ability on the ball. Beard is excited to have beaten several other clubs to the signing, stating that she brings something a little different than any of the other players currently in the squad.
“She is only young and has had a fantastic football education at Barcelona,” said Beard.
“There were a lot of clubs in for Julia, but she will give us something completely different as she is so good on the ball, has such a good football brain and can use either left or right foot.”
With the two additions, Beard now has six viable midfield options, including 17 year old Zara Shaw. He believes that there is now enough depth for the players to truly push each other for a place in the team.
“At times we have only had two fit midfield players. It was an area we needed to address because it creates competition. You want that competition for places because complacency can’t set in. If you don’t perform then someone else will and they will take your shirt.”
“This is the first time this season that I have had 20 outfield players training. It has been great, it has been refreshing.”
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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