NewsYana Daniels interview: LFC Women extension, rapport with fans and new-season aims

The Belgium international is in her second spell with the Reds and is a player renowned for her versatility.

Matt Beard has described Daniels as something of a manager’s dream, with the No.20 playing in nearly every position for the side.

Read on as Daniels speaks to Liverpoolfc.com about her deal extension, the Reds’ move to St Helens Stadium and the potential of the squad…

• Sale ends soon: Get tickets for Sunday's LFC Women v Everton derby

On extending her stay with LFC Women…

I’m really pleased. I’ve been here a few years now, so this really feels like home. It’s nice to extend. My first spell here was a bit short but it was great to come back. I have always liked Liverpool, the city, the people and the fans and it just feels like a family club – what I stand for. So it’s a nice feeling.

On her rapport with the fans…

The fans, you can’t put words to it, they are just amazing! You keep seeing the same faces for years and years now. The younger ones are getting older but they still keep coming. And it’s also nice to see new faces who are coming to our games as well. Hopefully with our move to St Helens they will all come with us.

On her respect for Beard, having also worked with him at Bristol City…

As soon as he came to Bristol City we did click and I liked the way he wanted us to play. It was great to come back to Liverpool and work with him again. I think that’s one of the main things in your football career, that you understand each other’s philosophy and how you want to play.

On her versatility…

It has been challenging but I like to be challenged. It really keeps you thinking and adapting to certain positions and situations. Anywhere I can help the team I’m happy to do so. Sometimes towards the end of games when players may be getting tired then the subs can make a difference and I always try to do so. I’ve played almost everywhere but I do enjoy it and it keeps me busy.

On a great season last term and the potential of this team…

Our group is so humble, and I think that helps a lot because we didn’t put any expectations on us and we just wanted to do better than the year before. I don’t think many people would have thought we would finish fourth, so it is nice. We want to reach the Champions League one day, so we will just keep pushing now.

On the exciting new additions that have joined the squad during the summer…

They have all settled really well and it feels like they have all been here for a long time. Liv [Olivia Smith] was the first one, a really nice girl, she is so young but she’s really mature. She has settled in really easily actually. The others joined a bit later but they have settled in really quickly and they are a good part of our team.

On getting back in the Belgium squad last season…

I am one of the more experienced players in Belgium now and we have had a lot of youth players come through. If the coach needs me for experience I am there, and also if they want to give youth a chance that’s fair enough as well. I’m happy either way and I’m in a good place.

On being a ‘manager’s dream’…

All you can do is work hard on the training pitch and then it’s up to the coaching staff who will play and they pick. You want to be picked but if not you just need to accept that, keep working hard, be ready and crack on.

On a new era for the club with the move to St Helens…

We are really looking forward to it and it’s nice to have a red stadium! We went to watch the rugby a few weeks ago and it was really nice to see the stadium and where our fans and family will be sitting. The pitch is beautiful. We can’t wait to see our fans there and it’s great that the club, with Expedia, are putting on the buses once again. Home and away, we can hear our fans – the away games sometimes you can hear our fans more than the home ones!