PreviewCeri Holland interview: Brighton, Sophie Roman Haug and midfield connection

The Norway international netted her fifth goal of the campaign during last weekend’s 2-0 Adobe Women’s FA Cup fifth-round win over London City Lionesses, along with providing the assist for Melissa Lawley’s superb clincher.

On Sunday, Roman Haug will be aiming to get on the scoresheet again as Matt Beard’s side look to take their cup form into the Barclays Women’s Super League when they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Back in November, Holland was a scorer when the Reds produced their most complete display of 2023-24 so far to defeat the Seagulls 4-0 at Prenton Park.

Ahead of the 12pm GMT kick-off at Broadfield Stadium in Crawley, read on as Holland tells Liverpoolfc.com about the confidence in the squad and the special connection between the midfielders.

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On an impressive performance in the win over London City Lionesses…

It was a massive result for us. It was really important for us to get into the next round of the FA Cup, a massive result away and I think we were really professional on the day. We scored two really good goals. Jas’ [Jasmine Matthews] assist for Sophie was very good, it was a great cross, and Mel’s finish was top-class. So we can’t complain.

On Roman Haug being almost unplayable in the air at times and the importance of getting crosses into the box for her…

That’s absolutely massive for us. I think not only just the crosses into the box but you look at Mel’s goal last weekend which came from Sophie’s flick-on, it was the typical route one from Lawsy [Rachael Laws], and that gives us the ability to do something different as well. Sophie has been massive for us this season.

On a home draw with Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup…

It will be nice to be back in front of our fans and obviously it’s the quarter-final of the FA Cup, so it will be a special day for us. We are excited for it but we’ve got a few important games to come before then.

On Sunday’s trip to face Brighton in the WSL…

Back down south again but we are really excited for the game. I think we are in a really good place as a team and excited to go again this weekend on the back of a really good performance last weekend.

On the 4-0 win over Brighton at Prenton Park in November…

I think it was one of those days when everything clicked. It was positive in terms of we got four goals on the day and I remember the atmosphere in the stadium was really special. It was a memorable day for us so far this season but that’s gone now. It will be a different challenge on Sunday, we know that, so we will be prepared for the game.

On her goal that day and aiming to score more…

I think I can give Sophie all the credit for that goal. She did the great work on the touchline to win the ball back and I’ve just headed it in, I couldn’t miss it really. Goals are something I’m trying to add to my game. I think I’ve got a long way to go in terms of what I’d like to do in terms of scoring and assisting. I just learn every day. I’m surrounded by really good players to learn from, so I can’t complain.

On her midfield partnership with Fuka Nagano and Marie Höbinger…

It has been a good combination for us this season and obviously we also have Bo [Missy Bo Kearns] and Sofie [Lundgaard] as well. I think it’s good because we all offer something different, so it’s great to have the ability to change. I’ve enjoyed playing with everybody this season in midfield. We’ve got a special connection between the group of us and we’ll just continue to hopefully build on that as the season goes on.

On a tough start to the calendar year in the WSL…

January was a tough month for us in terms of the fixtures and we knew that going into it, but I think the performance against Arsenal was a lot more positive. Getting the win last weekend was massive, so we are going down to Brighton to get the three points and we have the confidence in the group to do that. We go there full of confidence and ready to try to get the win.

On the importance of taking a good result into the international break…

You always want to head into the international break on a positive note. That’s really important for us as a group. If we look into March, we’ve got a run of games where we hope we can pick up points, so that will be really important.

• Book your tickets and away coach travel for LFC Women's matches here