Interview'I absolutely love this club' - LFC Women captain Niamh Fahey on new contract, coaching and 2024-25

Fahey joined the Reds in 2018 and has played a major role in the continued development that saw Matt Beard's side achieve a top-four finish in the Barclays Women’s Super League last season.

While playing remains her immediate priority, the 36-year-old defender will explore opportunities to gain coaching experience alongside Beard and his backroom team in 2024-25 as she plans for the future.

Read on as Fahey talks to Liverpoolfc.com about continuing her association with a club she holds extremely close to her heart…

On agreeing new terms with LFC Women…

It’s fantastic. I’m absolutely delighted to have another season in red. I really enjoy my time here with the club and after a brilliant last season I’m looking forward to pushing on with the rest of the club.

On continuing her long association with the club she supported as a child…

It’s special for me to have the Liver bird on my chest. It’s still very much surreal because I absolutely love this club. Getting to play in this shirt is something I don’t take for granted, so I’m absolutely delighted to have another year in red.

On what being captain means to her…

It’s special. This is a special place. Everyone goes on about the LFC family but it just is [a family]. It’s a special club, the people, everyone in the club that works here, coming into work it’s an absolute dream. So to be captain as well of this club with the support we have all around the world and in Ireland as well, it’s just special and it’s something I’m massively proud of.

On making her family proud…

They are [proud] and all big Reds at home in Galway. Everyone says in my home, ‘That’s the Liverpool captain!’ and big smiles come up on the kids’ faces. It just means a lot and I’m very proud to be captain of this club.

On having a busy summer working on a directorship and UEFA B Licence coaching badge…

I’m preparing for a little bit of life after football. I’m doing an MBA at John Moores University and doing my UEFA B coaching badges because I’ve got a hand in some coaching this season as well. It’s all geared to that bridge between football and [a] transition to coaching. It’s keeping me busy anyway and keeping me occupied off the pitch.

On the opportunity to work on some coaching with Beard and his staff…

It’s an exciting time for me as well because I’m at that transition period. The offer to do some coaching, Beardy spoke with me and I’m so grateful for this opportunity to learn off everyone and get my ideas as well how things work off the pitch. I’ll be doing a lot of that this year as well and preparing for life off the pitch as well. So I’m really grateful for this new role and am really excited about it as well.

On a potential coaching role in the future at the club…

I’m already starting to learn about how things are set up. I suppose as a player you have a selfish view on it because you think it’s quite easy. But so much detail goes into it and just being around all the coaching staff – Scott [Rogers], Amber [Whiteley], all the guys – it’s going to be a big learning curve for me. But again, it’s something that I’m really excited about. I’m passionate about football and obviously I’m fully concentrated as a player at the minute, but I would like to continue working in football in some capacity.

On her respect and admiration for Beard…

I get on so well with Beardy, he is such a good guy. He really cares about his players as well. He has done an amazing job in his second time with the club and I’ve got a lot to learn from him, his experiences. He is so passionate about football and this club. It’s fantastic I’ve got this opportunity to learn off him and I couldn’t learn off a better person, to be honest.

On how far the team has grown since her arrival in 2018…

It has been quite the journey – probably since I first came a lot of hardship. But in that space of six years to see the journey, I’ve learned a lot personally but I’ve also seen how the club has grown and really got behind the women’s team. We are here now at the AXA Melwood Training Centre, this fantastic facility, and you can see the growth of us on and off the pitch. We are definitely on an upward curve and we are not finished yet. Long may this continue.

On the difference Melwood has made to the team on and off the field…

It is huge. There is so much history with Melwood and Liverpool Football Club. The fact this is our home, it’s an unbelievable facility and, coupled with what it means to the club as well, I don’t think anyone has a better base as a training ground. The guys that work on the pitches make it top-notch for us and it’s a fantastic environment to come in every day and ply your trade.

On the potential of the squad after a top-four finish in the WSL last term…

Last season was absolutely fantastic. Maybe we went under the radar a little bit as I don’t think people would have been looking at us like that, so that comes with different pressures. We need to start well and make sure we are competing again. But we have a really strong group and the squad has been strengthened. We know our capabilities and we are fully focused on the job ahead.

On how much she is looking forward to leading Liverpool out at St Helens Stadium…

It will be fantastic. A new facility again – we are getting used to this newness – and it’s got all the things we need to make it a successful home. So hopefully we can make it a fortress for us. I’m excited to play there.

• Get tickets for the Reds' friendly v Everton in St Helens on Sunday

On a message for the club’s loyal supporters…

I absolutely love them. It’s the best feeling in the world just to meet a fellow Red and I absolutely love all the fans. I want to thank you for all your support and we’ll see you soon.