PodcastThe inside story of Gemma Bonner's LFC Women return

The experienced defender gave the Reds a festive boost this time last year by rejoining the club she captained to Barclays Women's Super League titles in 2013 and 2014 on Christmas Eve.

She had been back on Merseyside after her season with Racing Louisville FC in the USA had ended and was working as a pundit on LFC Women's games – all the while fully aware of Matt Beard's intention to bring her back.

Bonner tells hosts Jan Molby and Peter McDowall on the episode: "It was probably the first time in my career that I could just have time off and really think about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go.

"Obviously I came back home, I was working TV games with Pete and it was quite a strange situation because I knew Liverpool had interest but I was working the games but also trying to think in my head, 'Can I see myself playing in this team?'

"I said before, I didn't want it to be an emotional decision. I wanted to make sure the fit was right for me as a player.

"I was actually at a wedding the day that I agreed to sign. It was almost like, 'Wow, I can't believe I'm actually back.'

"I remember when I left, it was honestly one of the hardest things. I knew that one day I would have loved to come back but I didn't know if that was going to be possible – if or when it was going to happen.

"I remember it actually happening and thinking, 'Wow, I'm actually coming back. This actually feels the right thing to do.'

"I did have other options at the time but I think for me, I've always seemed to probably get the best out of myself when I care about something and when I really invest myself. I had to make sure it was the right decision to make sure that I could fully throw myself into it.

"When I told my family the news, it was just before Christmas and obviously the announcement video was the letter I wrote to Santa when I was six or seven years old, asking for a Liverpool kit for Christmas.

"I actually got my niece a Liverpool kit for Christmas and that was how I told my family."

Although a big Liverpool fan and enjoying some of the best days of her life with the club, sentiment wasn't the sole reason behind Bonner's return.

Instead, she saw the positive trajectory LFC Women are on – underlined recently with their move to the AXA Melwood Training Centre.

"Emotionally I had the attachment but I was aware I didn't want to make an emotional decision because I wanted to know that my value was going to be added to the team," she stresses.

"Knowing that the club was moving in the right direction, obviously Melwood is a huge plus in terms of coming in, the pitches, the recovery, the nutrition, the whole part.

"We're in an environment now of no excuses, which we probably can really say we've never had before. For me, I think that also attracts the players. I want to be successful, I want to win every game that I play in.

"Having that whole club package [as an] attraction, I think maybe in a few years we'll definitely really see the fruition of the effects of Melwood – but honestly we're starting to see them already now."

Bonner being back at Liverpool also allowed her to claim the club's WSL-era appearance record off Ashley Hodson last month.

The 32-year-old made her 135th outing in the Continental League Cup tie with Manchester City and was then recognised with a special presentation from Ian Callaghan, the men's all-time appearance record holder, at the next WSL fixture at Prenton Park.

"It probably still hasn't sunk in," Bonner says. "I think I found out the day before the game that Ian was going to be there. That's probably when I was like, 'Wow, this is a pretty big thing.'

"For him to be there and show his support, present and have my whole family there, I actually got emotional at the moment.

"But for me it was more having my family there because I would never have got to where I am without them. So having them there and having them made a fuss of, I think it made it really special."

Listen to the full episode with Bonner now on LFCTV GO, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.