InterviewCeri Holland on pre-season start, Reds' top-three aim and Wales pride

Matt Beard’s squad got their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign under way at the AXA Melwood Training Centre on Monday as they regrouped for day one.

The Reds claimed fourth place in the Barclays Women’s Super League last term, delivering another positive step in their progress since returning to the top tier two years ago.

And their ambition for the new season, which will begin with a home match versus Leicester City on the weekend of September 21/22, is to take another leap forward.

“It’s really good, really nice to see everybody and to get back out there with the team. It was a really good first day,” Holland told Liverpoolfc.com in a catch-up chat at Melwood.

“We’ve not had that many changes in the summer, which is nice, and seeing familiar faces. We’re really excited. We’re a really good group and we’ve obviously got a really good mixture of experience and youth as well. I think we’re in a really positive spot and looking forward to getting going.”

The No.18 continued: “Last season was amazing, I think we probably surpassed expectations of a lot of people – which is always nice! We were quietly confident in ourselves.

“But I think we’re all aware that obviously now there is a little bit of an expectation on us this season and the pressure is a bit more on. But I think we’ll thrive as a group under that pressure and go out and hopefully challenge the top three.”

Chelsea were crowned WSL champions in 2023-24, finishing ahead of Manchester City on goal difference – both teams accrued 55 points – with Arsenal in third on 50 points.

What must Liverpool, who ended the season with 41 points, do to bridge the gap to the sides above them in the division?

“I think it’s just probably about being consistent week in, week out,” replied Holland. “I think that’s what the top teams are so good at, they consistently pick up three points – away from home, at home.

“I’d probably say just trying to get a little bit more consistency. But last year put us in a really good spot and we’re fully confident in our group.”

Beard has to date added one new player to his group this summer, with Canada international Olivia Smith joining in a permanent move from Sporting CP.

And the forward wasted no time in making a strong impression on her new teammates when pre-season training began.

Holland said of linking up with Smith: “She had a really good first training session. She certainly showed everybody what she could do, she scored a couple of great goals.

“She has been welcomed into the group with open arms; she seems a lovely girl and I think she’ll fit in with our group fantastically.”

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Holland, meanwhile, returned to club duties buoyed by a very special personal moment on international duty earlier this month.

The 26-year-old captained Wales at senior level for the first time when they defeated Croatia 3-0 away from home in Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying.

“It was probably the proudest moment of my career,” she said. “I think that’s probably the peak of your career, captaining your country.

“A really proud moment for me personally and my family – I think they were kind of bursting with pride. But it was obviously more important that we got the results that we needed and now into the play-offs in October.

“It was a really good performance in some tough, hot conditions in Croatia. It was definitely a wake-up call of being back into pre-season! Really good.”