Q&AMarie Höbinger interview: I love football so much, this is a great opportunity for me

The 22-year-old Austria international has become the Reds’ sixth signing ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, following the arrivals of Natasha Flint, Jenna Clark, Mia Enderby, Teagan Micah and Grace Fisk.

The versatile attacking midfielder was previously with FC Zurich Frauen in Switzerland and joins Matt Beard’s squad with a glowing reputation.

See Höbinger’s first interview as a Liverpool player in the video below, or read on for a full transcript…

On signing for LFC Women…

I’m so happy to be here finally. The new surroundings are great, everyone is so kind and I really like it. I love English football, men’s and women’s, so I always wanted to play in the WSL, but probably never even imagined playing for Liverpool. When I spoke to Matt and Russ [Fraser] for the first time they gave me a really good feeling. It felt so natural talking to them, especially Matt, who gave me some new perspectives as a player. After that call I just had such a great feeling that I could really see myself enjoying my football here.

On the shared ambition of bringing success to the football club…

I really like the vision of the club. I also am a really ambitious player, so I’m really excited for the forthcoming season and hopefully we have a good process.

On what qualities she hopes to bring to the team…

I’m really ambitious and really competitive. I think I am technically a strong player. I really like ball possession, moving the ball forward and creating chances. I like to play line-breaking, opening passes – I really like the offensive game.

On playing in a number of different countries despite her young age…

I moved to Germany when I was 13, then I played for my first team, Turbine Potsdam, I came through the academy to the first team and played three years in the Bundesliga. I then moved to FC Zurich and played one-and-a-half years there and now a new challenge.

On whether she has found it difficult moving around at this early stage of her career…

I think I love playing football so much and have always loved it so much, so it was always the aim to play as good as possible and as high-level as possible. In Austria it’s pretty hard to get good training and stuff so to make the move to Germany was a very big step for me, but I really wanted to play football and the priority was always football. I felt excitement to move to Germany. I’ve got used to being alone and without my family and this step to Liverpool now is a pretty big one, but it felt right at this moment of my career, and I really wanted to step out of my comfort zone.

On the experience of already playing in England for Austria at Euro 2022…

Football in this country is huge. The Euros were amazing, and every stadium was amazing, the crowd, and the priority football has in this country is huge. That’s why it’s so fascinating to be here and to see the facilities. That’s what every player wants, I think.

On what she hopes to achieve as a Liverpool player…

As a Liverpool player, for me personally it’s always thinking in small steps. At first, I really want to adapt to the team, get to know everyone as good as possible, then of course I really want to improve as a player, get better and learn and grow together with the team.

On her excitement ahead of the pre-season return…

I really can’t wait to get started and I’m so excited.