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Liverpool’s Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa postponed after Matt Beard’s death

Liverpool’s Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa has been postponed following the death of the club’s former manager Matt Beard.

The two sides had been due to meet at Villa Park on Sunday, with kick off scheduled for 12pm (BST).

It was announced on Saturday evening that Beard had died at the age of 47, with Liverpool paying tribute to “an extremely committed and successful manager” and “person of real integrity and warmth”.

An Aston Villa statement read: “Following yesterday’s devastating news of Matt Beard’s passing, our Barclays WSL fixture with Liverpool has been postponed.”

Liverpool confirmed details of the rearrangement would be announced “in due course”.

Beard had two spells in charge of Liverpool between 2012 and 2015, where he led the club to two WSL titles, and between 2021 and 2025, when he guided the club to promotion back to the WSL and consolidated their place in the top flight.

He departed his role in February 2025, with a number of members of the current Liverpool squad playing under Beard during his time at the club.

Beard’s former side Burnley confirmed earlier on Sunday that the club’s National League North fixture against West Bromwich Albion had been postponed following the news of their former manager’s passing.

The former Chelsea and West Ham United manager had joined Burnley in the summer but was placed on gardening leave in August after he resigned to pursue new opportunities.

Tributes from across the world of football have been paid following Beard’s death. U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes, who succeeded Beard at Chelsea in 2012, paid tribute to “one of the best humans”, while former England defender Claire Rafferty said he had “the most genuine soul and kindest heart”.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Liverpool, Women's Soccer

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