LFC WomenMatthews hails team spirit as she receives Championship's POTM trophy

The ultra-consistent centre-back was a stalwart of the team during a tough run of games that went a long way to securing the league title.

Matthews was part of a defence that kept three clean sheets and she scored a vital late winner in the game at Charlton Athletic Women.

She started April off in similar fashion, scoring a superb goal in the title-winning match at her former club Bristol City Women.

Now the 29-year-old, who re-joined the Reds last summer, is looking forward to lifting the trophy at Prenton Park on Sunday.

She puts the success of the team this season down to the fantastic spirit within the camp.

Matthews told Liverpoolfc.com: “It’s been an amazing year. I talk about it all the time, how nice the atmosphere is, how nice the girls are.

“Everyone just gets on. How well we’ve played this season just helps of course. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

“You don’t normally find a team where some players are maybe not playing as much as they want to be, maybe on the bench or not in the squad, but everyone is in this together and that’s so hard to find.”

Sheffield United Women are the visitors to Prenton Park on Sunday for a 12pm BST kick-off - and Liverpool are keen to end their home season in style as they look to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to 20 games.

“We’ve had a lot of pitch sessions and classroom meetings setting goals,” Matthews added.

“We had blocks of four for how many points we needed and we were overachieving every time.

“It’s nice that the job is done early but we’re still focused on the two games that are left.

“The staff believe in us and the players believe in each other and it’s incredible to be a part of this great team.

“I think all the girls want to get a result on the weekend first and then obviously to lift that trophy in front of our amazing fans. They’ve backed us home and away.

“I speak about the away game at London City where we had more fans than they did. They just sing their hearts out throughout the whole game and it’s just giving something back to them when we lift that trophy on Sunday.

“I think it’s actually the first trophy I’ve won so it’s going to be special for me, my family are coming, which makes it even more special.

“I actually can’t wait to lift that trophy and obviously with this group of girls as well. It’s going to be great.”

With just two matches left in the season, minds are already turning towards the exciting prospect of the Women’s Super League next season after a two-year hiatus and Matthews is looking forward to going back there with the Reds.

She added: “We need to be realistic. The game’s grown in the last two years.

“We just need to prepare that it’s going to be very different. But I’m actually just so excited to be part of this team and for Liverpool to be back in WSL where it belongs.”