Phil Smith
The Late, Great Johan Cruyff once said ‘Every disadvantage, has its Advantage’ a motto
which is certainly true for Matt Beard’s current injury woes, specifically in midfield. And that advantage’s name is Zara Shaw.
It would be easy to think that a 17-year-old making her first WSL start, away at Manchester United, could be a desperation move from Matt Beard,
but that is certainly not the case for Zara Shaw, who had already impressed in the Reds previous outing in the League cup, against Championship side Newcastle.
Following the victory at Newcastle, when asked about the 17-year-old, Matt Beard said “If I could have played her at 15 years old, I would have.
Because she was ready then” Unfortunately, WSL rules dictate that players must be 16 years of age before they
are eligible to feature in a senior squad. However, Matt Beard had to wait even longer to give Shaw the call up, than he had initially accepted, when Shaw suffered an ACL injury in the first
pre-season game of last season against Birmingham City.
Despite what is notoriously a terrible injury, and a tricky rehabilitation process for anyone, let alone a 16-year-old waiting to make her
senior debut, Shaw bounced back and returned to training just 8 months after suffering the injury. Which speaks to
the maturity on display at such a young age.
This maturity, along with an understanding of the game that you might expect from a 25-year-old, explain how Beard is so willing to trust a
17-year-old in such a crucial area of the pitch. After Liverpool’s midfield has been hit with key injuries, Cruyff’s
adage remains true, as it provided an opportunity for Beard to give an early Christmas present to the 17-year-old, in the form of 4 consecutive starts.
Beard’s trust in Shaw, and Shaws confidence in herself, had no greater demonstration, than her role in Liverpool final fixture of 2024, at home
to the in-form Arsenal who had won 6 straight games in all competitions prior to their trip to St Helens. Shaw was
once again given the nod to start in a game which we all knew would be tough for the Reds, who despite a valiant display, suffered a 1-0 defeat.
In the early phases of the game, a Liverpool midfield, commanded by Fuka Nagano, remained stubborn and well organised, preventing arsenal from
getting an early grip on the game, and keeping the Reds on the ball. Shaw’s role in this midfield was what impressed me the most, as it became clear she has been entrusted with leading the press. Leading the
press is an ever-crucial role which requires a great deal of confidence and situational awareness. As the press leader, you decide when
to sit back, and when you, and your entire team, will step up and attempt to pressure the ball carrier, and force them into a mistake, gaining your team possession of the ball.
Leading the press is a tremendous responsibility and is often one the manager will delegate to who they feel has the greatest understanding of
the game. And so, Beard’s decision to elect a 17-year-old to carry out this task, once again speaks to his
confidence in the u17 England international. Confidence which Shaw earned early on in her First of 4 consecutive starts, in the League cup against Newcastle.
Matt Beard had emphasised, in the build up to this match, not being afraid to test the goalkeeper, saying “We’ve been talking a lot about: if it
opens up, getting the strikes off.” Which Shaw clearly listened to, when in the 10th minute, she saw a chance open,
and heeded her managers advice by letting one fly, and scoring a stunner from just under 25 yards out.
There are few better ways to earn a manager’s trust, than by showing them you have the willingness to carry out their instructions and execute
their ideas, and Shaw did just that, and to score her first senior goal in a Liverpool shirt in the process is the icing
on the cake.
Now the Winter break is upon us, and the impending return of Marie Höbinger, Beard will have a decision to make on which 5 women he sends out to
his midfield. Squad depth has been lacking for the Reds of late, and so the emergence of a dependable and hungry 17-year-old, can only bolster this Liverpool side, as they hope to return to some of the form on
display in their previous campaign.