'I can see Coutinho similarities'
Liverpool Ladies open their Women's Super League season at Lincoln on Sunday, with midfield general Amanda Da Costa confident that she can provide the team with the same South American flair that Philippe Coutinho offers the men.
The Ladies side has undergone a significant rebuilding programme ahead of the new campaign, with the USA youth international one of a number of the women's game's best to sign up to the project.
Da Costa is eagerly anticipating the weekend encounter and will take inspiration from another recent arrival at the club when she dons her boots to face Lincoln at Sincil Bank.
"I really enjoy watching Coutinho play," Da Costa told Liverpoolfc.com. "He is very similar to me, I think - he has that Brazilian flair and I'm Portuguese.
"Watching him play recently against West Ham I saw some similarities and I enjoy watching Coutinho.
"I came a long way to play here and one of the reasons why I came to Liverpool was to contend for a championship.
"That would obviously be one of the high expectations that we have but we also have to be realistic. We are a new group with a new manager so we are still getting to know each other, but I think it's going to be a good season for us.
"I really believe strongly in the team's values and where they are trying to take the Ladies team as a club.
"I've always wanted to play overseas so this is an amazing opportunity for me to play for Liverpool - it's really exciting being here."
Hailing from the Big Apple in New York, Da Costa has settled quickly into her new Liverpool surroundings.
She added: "New York's a bit bigger than Liverpool, and busier, but I like the fact that Liverpool is a close-knit city.
"All the people here are extremely friendly; I'm enjoying exploring the city and I still have a lot to see."
Last season she played in Boston for the Breakers and had her first LFC experience when Brendan Rodgers and co arrived at Fenway Park on their summer tour of North America in 2012.
She added: "It's funny that Liverpool has an affiliation with the Boston Red Sox. I'm from New York and a tremendous Yankee fan so playing in Boston last season I also had that connection.
"When Liverpool came to Boston and played at Fenway Park, I was there. It's amazing seeing the buzz for the team here in Liverpool and the way it has translated to America. It's amazing the fan base they have, both here in England and also in America.
"It was unbelievable the amount of fans that came out to support Liverpool at Fenway Park. Seeing a baseball stadium converted into a soccer pitch was pretty cool, so it was an awesome time."
Manager Matt Beard and his squad recently had the opportunity to train with Rodgers and the first team at Melwood - an experience Da Costa considered invaluable.
"The integration of the men's and women's sides speaks really highly about the club," she added.
"You don't see that very often and it's something that other clubs can look at maybe for their future, because they treated us like equals - which was very important.
"The training was an amazing experience, just being on the pitch with some of those players and being watched by Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard. We had some good banter with them and it was a good day for everybody.
"It was an awesome experience when we went out onto the pitch at half-time recently at Anfield and we got a very warm welcome from all of the fans.
"I think it's pretty cool that everyone has accepted us and is behind us in this adventure as we head into the new season."
As to the first-team player she looks up to the most, she said: "I obviously have to say Gerrard for his pure leadership, the things he does on the ball and his pure passion every single game."
Fantastic pre-season form, coupled with progress to a Women's FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, has given Da Costa and her colleagues reason for optimism.
She added: "We are starting to get to know each other as players and as people. There's a lot of banter during training and we all hang out outside training, which I think is important as well.
"It says a lot for a group of girls who can be friends off the pitch and professional on the pitch. We are working really hard for each other and it's a fun experience.
"It's been a long pre-season and we've got to know each other well. We have had some good cup games for us to get our feet wet a little bit and we are all eager for the season to start.
"We have started off very strongly but Lincoln are a good side. They are going to challenge us and I think it's a good first game for us - we are really excited."
What message would Da Costa send to Liverpool supporters considering taking a closer interest in the Ladies this season?
"We have trained with the men, we train every day as professionals and we work extremely hard and play some good football," she said.
"If you enjoy watching the men play then you will enjoy watching the women play. Come out and support us because we have a good squad this year and our games are a lot of fun."