'It feels special to be back at Liverpool'
Yana Daniels has a burning desire as she begins a second spell with Liverpool FC Women: to help the team achieve their goal of securing promotion back to the Women's Super League.
The Belgium international has returned from Bristol City to become Matt Beard’s second signing ahead of the 2021-22 season.
The winger, who proved to be a popular figure with the LFC Women supporters during her first stay with the club, didn’t hesitate when the new manager asked her to come back to Merseyside.
Read on as Daniels reflects on re-joining the Reds in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com…
On returning to Liverpool FC Women for a second spell…
It feels good to be back. It’s been a long time and I enjoyed my time at Bristol City. I just want to enjoy my football here and bring the club back where it belongs.
On watching Liverpool as a youngster back home…
There were always a couple of big teams on and Liverpool was always there on the TV. It just seemed so far away and now just being here is just a little kid’s dream that comes true again for me. So it’s good to be back at Liverpool and being back makes it extra special for sure.
Watch: Yana Daniels on LFC Women return
On what she can bring to the team…
I like to play with freedom, do what you feel is the best thing to do, and I know Matt likes to give you instructions as a player on how to express yourself. I just want to put that on the pitch and be myself, create chances and help the team.
On working with Beard again after the spell at Bristol City…
It was a hard end to the season with Bristol City when we were relegated and it’s something you don’t want to experience as a player. But the style Matt plays, it just suits me, I like it and I just feel comfortable with the way he wants to play. You just play that little bit better because you understand the way the manager wants you to play. The philosophy of Matt just suits me. I believe that he can achieve something big here with his ability as a manager.
On the influence of Beard and what he wants to achieve with the group…
Well, he won titles here with Liverpool and he has such a big background as a manager. He just wants to bring this club back where it belongs. As a player you want to play to be a champion, you want to play for titles and medals, and to try to achieve that under a manager that wants the same level is great.
On ambitions for the 2021-22 season…
Liverpool FC Women should always be in the highest league. It’s sad they have had a little fall down the last couple of years and I was part of that and it didn’t feel right. It would be great if we could push back and be where we should be. I’m confident that Matt is building a great team and that we have all the needs that we need to do it. It’s just up to us that we achieve it.
On the return to pre-season training next week…
It’s always a bit stressful when you come into a team and you are a new player but I’m looking forward to meeting all the girls. There’s still a few around from a few years ago when I was here, so it feels like home and I’m excited to meet the new players.