ReactionHow Melwood practice paid off for Marie Höbinger and LFC Women

The Austria midfielder’s precise 13th-minute effort settled a tight contest at Ashton Gate on Saturday, lifting the Reds into fourth place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table.

For Höbinger it was a fifth WSL goal of the campaign, and the 22-year-old said she was happy to see practice at the AXA Melwood Training Centre make perfect on matchday, as she delivered a perfect left-footed shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

“It’s always a nice feeling to get a goal, but it’s more important that we got the win and the three points today,” Höbinger told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.

“I practise it a lot in training, they [the management team] see me every day, and I appreciate the trust that I get from the whole team and the coaches.”

She continued: “Because I have been practising a lot, I am very, very happy that I am so comfortable hitting the ball with either foot.

“It helps me a lot in the game, gives me more opportunities to score or place the ball on set-pieces. I am very happy that I am so comfortable doing that.”

Liverpool had not played a competitive game since their 4-1 loss to Manchester City at the end of March, but returned from the international break in the right manner, with Matt Beard’s side defending superbly as they recorded a sixth clean sheet of the league campaign.

“For sure, the way the team defends in very, very important situations shows that we are absolutely ready to play for fourth place,” said Höbinger.

“That’s what we want to do, and to achieve that it is even more important to win games like that.”

Next up for the Reds are two huge home clashes, against Chelsea on Wednesday May 1 (7pm BST) and Manchester United on Sunday May 5 (2pm BST).

“We have big weeks ahead,” added Höbinger. “I think everyone is very excited. The energy in the team is very good and positive and optimistic.

“I hope we get a good training week and then we are absolutely ready to face both of them.”

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