Matt Beard has brought in another Bristol City player, this time 24 year old midfielder Carla Humprhey
The Liverpool FC Women’s team has continued their trend of being very active in signing players this summer. Matt Beard has identified and signed yet another former player of his to help rebuild the squad as they push on for promotion to the WSL. This time, it was former Bristol City midfielder Carla Humphrey who put her pen to paper to sign for the Reds, making her the fifth signing of the summer.
The 24 year old midfielder spent the majority of her senior career playing for the Vixens (oy vey), joining Bristol City in 2017. She made 86 appearances over her four years at the club, serving as a regular started the last three years. Matt Beard was her interim manager the second half of the year, so the new Liverpool manager knew exactly how Humphrey would fit in at Liverpool.
“Carla’s another talented player, very good in tight spaces and someone with a great football brain,” said Beard of his newest signing.
“She sees pictures a lot of people don’t see and especially if you’re playing against a block, she’s going to be valuable in those tight spaces and creating goal scoring opportunities. She’ll also offer a little bit of versatility. She can play wide, she can play in the No.8 and play in the No.10. She’s going to be a good addition to the team.”
There should be fierce competition for spaces in the midfield this season between the likes of Humprhey, Bo Kearns, Ceri Holland, and Rachel Furness, though Furney sounds like she may still be a ways away from being fit to train. For Humphrey, having played in Beard’s system and knowing what is expected of her might give her an edge. She also feels like Beard is the right person in charge to help Liverpool make the jump to the WSL.
“I worked with Matt at Bristol City and he was great for me personally,” said Humprhey. “In such a short space of time he improved me massively. I think if he did that in that short time, then what can he do in a full season? He was great for me and I jumped at the chance to work with him again. Also, to be at a club like Liverpool, it just felt like the right fit.”
Humphrey seems up to the challenge to help drive her new club on to promotion in whatever way she can.
“I’m so, so excited to be here,” she said. “I’m really happy, it’s such a big club and I’m just really proud to come and represent Liverpool and the challenge that awaits in trying to get promotion. I’m just really excited to be here. Training’s been great and the girls have really helped me settle in. I knew a couple of them before and have played with some at other clubs, so I’m just excited to play with them.
“I’m quite a creative midfielder. I like to get forward and link in with the players and create chances, and that’s what I want to bring to the team. I can play anywhere in midfield, I don’t really have a preference, and I’ll give it my all and fight for the team.”
It is great to see so many former players wanting to come work with Beard again. It’s also interesting to note that all players Liverpool have signed this summer have come from WSL clubs. Not only does it mean some experienced, talented players, it also seems to signal that Liverpool are finally opening the purse strings for player acquisitions. There are now 19 players on the squad, so there could be room for one or two more signings before it is all said and done, especially if Rinsola Babajide leaves.
