Liverpool boss Matt Beard issues warning to Arsenal after Chelsea defeat

Liverpool manager Matt Beard said his high-flying side are bidding for a third-place finish and potential Champions League slot after Arsenal's slip-up against Chelsea on Friday evening.

The Reds relished a comfortable victory against West Ham on Sunday afternoon to extend their winning streak to three league matches on the bounce. Leanne Kiernan, making her first WSL start of the season, opened the scoring shortly before half-time as the Ireland international prodded the ball into an empty net.

The hosts doubled their advantage five minutes after the interval as Missy Bo Kearns headed home Ceri Holland's cross. And Sophie Roman Haug sealed the win with a sleek volley. The barrage proved too great for the Hammers, who could count on Riko Ueki for a late consolation goal.

Sunday's victory keeps Liverpool level on points with Manchester United who sit fourth in the table. And while talk has focussed excitedly on the prospect of eclipsing United, who finished runners-up behind league champions Chelsea last season, Beard didn't rule out the possibility of eclipsing Arsenal in the process for a top-three finish following the Gunners' disappointing 3-1 loss to Chelsea.

"I think what we've done already is a huge achievement, we're just enjoying the moment," Beard told the BBC.

"Arsenal getting beaten the other night means we're three points closer to them. We're aiming to finish as high up the league as we can. It would be great if we finished fourth but it would be even better if we finished third.

"We'll just try to get as many points as we can."

Arsenal's title hopes lay in tatters courtesy of first-half goals from Lauren James and Sjoeke Nüsken. The Gunners are now six points off the Blues and Manchester City at the top of the