Interview'I want this to be just the start for my Liverpool career'

The midfielder is steeped in the history of the club and it seemed highly appropriate for her to come off the bench to score the final goal in the 4-2 win at Bristol City that secured the league title for the Reds earlier this month.

Kearns quickly headed off on England U23s duty with teammate Taylor Hinds and claimed two assists in their 3-0 victory over the Netherlands on Monday.

“It’s the thing I dreamed of growing up – scoring for Liverpool to help win a title. And I’ve done it! I can’t explain how good it feels, I’m made up,” Kearns, who celebrates her 21st birthday today, told Liverpoolfc.com.

“I was sitting on the bench against Bristol thinking, ‘If I come on I’m going to score here’ and that’s what happened.

“I’ve been wearing the Liverpool shirt since I was born and signed for the club when I was eight. I’m 21 now and I’ve just won my first title with them and hopefully there’s many more.

“Titles don’t happen overnight, they are a lot of hard work week in, week out and this win proves that.”

When she’s not patrolling midfield for LFC Women, Kearns is travelling the country supporting Jürgen Klopp’s men’s side and she spoke of the impact the women’s supporters have provided during the season.

“I’m a Liverpool fan myself and the fans make the club. Our fans make days like winning the title special for us,” said Kearns.

“They’ve been everywhere to watch us and it doesn’t go unnoticed, we see every single one of them and we’re thankful for that.”

Among the fans in a record Championship crowd of 5,752 at Ashton Gate for the win over Bristol were Kearns’ mother and father, who travel to support her at games around the country.

“They’re just so proud of me, all the dedication I’ve put in over the years is starting to pay off,” she said. “But this is only the start, I’m 21 and I’ve got a lot more things I need to achieve in my career.

“I think personally I’ve proved myself in the Championship and now I’m ready to go and prove myself against top opposition in the top league [Women’s Super League].

“If you want to go on and be the best you’ve got to be able to compete against the best and I think I’m ready for that. As a team we’ve showed already we can compete against top opposition this season.”

Kearns also detailed the influence of her teammates and manager Matt Beard on her own game this season.

The No.7 said: “I think everyone in the squad gets the respect, whether old or young. We’re a proper team, we do it for each other.

“Beardy gives me compliments but he also tells me things straight and I think that’s how you get the best out of me, give me a little kick up the bum and I’ll react and I’ll want to do better.

“I‘ve gone up leaps and bounds since he came in, I’m learning every day, playing against better players. That’s what you want as a young player – you don’t want to be comfortable!”

Watch Kearns and the rest of the LFC Women squad lift the league title at Prenton Park against Sheffield United at 12pm BST on Sunday April 24.

Tickets are on sale now and it’s just £1 for kids – book at liverpoolfc.com/women-tickets.