InterviewJenna Clark: I did the Anfield tour last year - to now be a Liverpool player is surreal

A Reds supporter since childhood, just last year Clark visited Anfield to do the stadium tour – and now, she is part of Matt Beard’s squad.

The 21-year-old Scotland defender today became Beard’s second new recruit of the summer, following the arrival of forward Natasha Flint.

Watch or read Clark’s first interview as a Liverpool player below.

On signing for LFC Women…

It feels a bit surreal just now, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet but it feels amazing. I’m a Liverpool supporter. My dad has always been a Liverpool fan, as soon as Kenny Dalglish came here, so for me growing up there was no other team to support. I was here on the stadium tour at Anfield last year.

On when she heard that Liverpool wanted to sign her…

There was a couple of conversations around it but it wasn’t concrete yet, so I didn’t want to get too carried away with that thought. But once it became more real I was just buzzing. Being given this opportunity is something I’ll never take for granted.

On her journey so far…

I’ve been playing in Scotland throughout my career and I’m only 21 so it’s not been that long, but I’ve been at Glasgow City for five years and they helped develop me massively as a player and got me to where I am today, to sign for such a big club.

On making the step to play for the Reds...

For the first club I will play for outside of Scotland to be the one I have supported since I was a young kid just puts a smile on my face. I just can’t stop smiling at the thought of it.

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On her qualities as a player…

I’m quite tall so that helps as a defender and I think I’m quite calm. I’m not one to go charging in, I just have a calm way of playing football. My height obviously helps and I would like to get on the scoresheet as well. Last season was probably my best season in terms of scoring goals so I will be looking to build on that. I’m just excited to get started and try to prove myself in this league.

On how much she is looking forward to playing alongside the likes of fellow defenders Niamh Fahey and Gemma Bonner…

I always want to learn from those around me so I’m looking forward to playing with players like that.

On what Beard has told her about his plans for the season…

He has been very open in terms of what he likes about me, where he sees me developing and fitting into his team. Having conversations with him makes me excited about my development as a player and my future at this club. It’s easy to jump into a club you support but I had to think about my development as a player, and I think the way that this club is going and the season that they had last year there’s a a lot to build on. I want to be a part of that and take this team as far as they can go.

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