InterviewGemma Evans: I'm excited by LFC challenge and can't wait to get started
A lifelong Reds fan, the Wales international arrives after a season playing for Manchester United, where she claimed an Adobe Women's FA Cup winner's medal.
Evans knows Beard well after playing under him during a spell with Bristol City, and jumped at the chance to link up again.
Predominantly a centre-half, the 28-year-old can also play at left-back and represents an important addition to the squad, with the Liverpool manager keen to add to the balance of his team.
See Liverpoolfc.com's exclusive chat with Evans as she reacts to becoming the Reds' third new recruit ahead of 2024-25...
On signing for LFC Women…
It's a massive move for me. Last season was a difficult year for me as I had to learn to be a teammate in a different way on the field. So, it's so exciting to be at Liverpool and working with Matt again, and I'm proper looking forward to getting ready to go.
On reuniting with Beard once again…
I've worked under him before and he knows how to make me tick and get the best out of me. So when he came in for me, it was a no-brainer for me. This was something I had to do and I'm super-excited to play here and work under him again and [with] the girls here. Matt cares about you as a person and not just as a player. You are not just a number to him and I think that's really important, especially for someone like me as I like to have that bond with a manager. It's really important from him that he cares about you as a player and a person.
On seeing the AXA Melwood Training Centre for the first time…
I had a tour and I was blown away, to be honest with you. It's got literally everything and you couldn't ask for more. I think it's an amazing facility and it just shows the direction Liverpool is going in. So, I can't wait to get going with everyone.
On what playing for Liverpool means to her…
It's a club I've always wanted to play for, if I'm honest, so it does mean a lot to me signing here. I'm just excited to get going.
On hoping to fulfil her ambitions with LFC Women…
Every year they build, and watching them play I thought this is an exciting bunch and they are super-talented. They are a really nice bunch I've met so far and we are really looking forward to trying to build on last year, and hopefully I can help as much as possible. I want more game time and I want to prove the ability I think I have. I haven't been able to showcase that last season, so I want to meet my standards again and hit the floor running.
On reuniting with Wales teammate Ceri Holland, along with Jasmine Matthews and Yana Daniels from her time with Bristol City…
When you move it's always nice when you know someone just to help you settle in. They have been amazing since I came in and they have proper looked after me and took me under their wing. I always said to Jas and Yana that we would play football together again at some point, so it's just amazing that it is at this club.
On the competition for places in the squad…
I think it's really important that we have a competitive environment because then it just keeps pushing your boundaries. Complacency is not what you want in football, so I knew I was coming in here and I'm going to be competing for a place. I know the standards the girls are at as well, so I don't expect it to be easy. But look, whoever is performing plays and whoever isn't performing doesn't, so it's good that it's competitive and I can't wait to get going. The sky is the limit for this team and you can tell they are all ambitious and their standards are super-high.
On playing at St Helens Stadium this season and playing in front of the passionate fans…
I think that is going to be massive for us. The direction this club is going in is phenomenal and the ambition of the club is one of the reasons why I wanted to come in – as well as to work under Matt. I know I've said I'm excited a lot but I really am and I just can't wait. We have a good fan base and they always get behind the girls no matter what the result is. They are the 12th player, they always push the girls and I'm looking forward to meeting them all and playing in front of them.