MY ACCOUNT
Rachael Laws believes Liverpool can become a force in the Women’s Super League after all but securing survival in their first season back in the top flight.
The Reds have endured a mixed campaign but sit six points clear of the drop zone with six games left to play.
And goalkeeper Laws, 32, insists Matt Beard’s side should be proud of how they have adjusted after two seasons in the Women’s Championship.
Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, she said: “We knew it was going to be a learning curve.
“The league has grown a lot since we were last in it. Teams have moved on. For a start, everyone’s full-time now.
“Everybody has strengthened. But if you look at it now, I think we’re pretty much safe.”
Laws, who won the WSL with the Reds in 2013 while on loan from Sunderland, returned in the summer of 2020.
And she is excited by the club’s mentality, with the men’s team supporting their counterparts to challenge the best the WSL has to offer.
The Newcastle-born stopper added: “I was asked the other day why I signed a new contract with Liverpool and I said it was because of the ambition. Where they want to be is exactly where I want to be.
“They’re not just settling for mid-table. We get a lot of support from the men’s team and they want us to push on.
“Jurgen Klopp is a really big part of it. He pushes the women as much as the men. We’ve met him a few times and he knows all of our results and how we’ve been doing.
“He tells us when it’s been a little bit difficult as well!
“We’re aiming high. We’re Liverpool Football Club. It’s not just a big English club, it’s worldwide and we should never settle for where we are.”
Resilient rearguard
A sturdy defence has been one of the reasons Liverpool have steered clear of danger.
The Reds have conceded just 27 goals in 16 league games this term — and Laws has been between the sticks for all but one of them.
She added: “If we can stay in games, whether it’s 0-0 or 1-0, we can go up the other end and create. We believe in our midfielders and strikers to do that.
“If you look at the goal difference, it’s significantly better than the teams below us. We pride ourselves first and foremost on keeping clean sheets.
“But if we don’t manage to keep one, don’t let it be 3-0, 4-0 or 5-0, which has happened to a few of the teams below us.”
Seagulls clash
Saturday’s showdown with Brighton, who boosted their survival hopes with a 3-2 win over Everton in midweek, will be another test of Liverpool’s mettle.
But after picking up a win and two draws in their last three outings, Laws is confident Beard’s side can bring the Seagulls down to earth at Prenton Park.
She said: “We’re unbeaten in three games, that’s a good little run in the WSL.
“Confidence is high and there’s competition for places, so why not aim for three points at home?”
Making their mark
While a mid-table finish is the best Liverpool can hope for, they can still have an impact on where the title ends up.
The Merseysiders face champions Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United in their final six games.
Having beaten the Blues 2-1 in their first game this season, Laws knows the Reds can make life difficult for the big guns.
Laws added: “We’ve got United at home on the last day. If the title race goes to that, we’ve got a big part to play.
“We always turn up against the top teams, we never roll over. We’re not going to win the title but we want to have a say.”
Follow Liverpool keeper Rachael Laws on Instagram @rachlaws1.
