Olivia Smith On Winning Player Of The Month And Upcoming Anfield Debut
Yesterday at 04:00 PM
Olivia Smith is having a moment. The young new signing made her debut against Leicester City after featuring in the U20 World Cup, and was just named the Standard Chartered Player of the Month for September following her strong performances since coming in.
Now, the young forward is looking forward to another milestone in her career - playing at the storied home of Liverpool Football Club, Anfield. The Women's team will host Manchester City Women on Sunday at the historic stadium, the first of three matches to be held there this season.
"I think ever since it was announced that we'd be playing at Anfield, it's just been on my mind constantly," Smith told the club website this week.
"That's just an environment I've been desperate to play in and I've never been in an environment like that. So it's definitely something not just me, but my family are looking forward to, as well as the team. I'm very excited."
Smith made her squad debut at the league opener against Leicester City, just a few weeks after returning from the World Cup and featuring for the Canadian women. While she was held back from the friendly Merseyside Derby before the season started, she was named to the starting XI against the Foxes, proving the confidence that manager Matt Beard has in the new signing.
"I think that was something that was really important to me just having that connection with the coach. Just knowing that he has so much belief in me and faith in me is honestly all that I can ask for," Smith explained.
"That's something that gives me confidence to my game as well. Of course missing almost a month and then jumping right back in was tough, but I think we have a very good understanding of each other and the team to throw me in there and adapt and solve those problems."
One of the most important things at this point for Smith is integrating with the squad, and learning to work with a new and more advanced set of players, especially after missing most of the preseason with the tournament. She has nothing to prove though and all focus is on making sure to keep momentum rolling along.
"I definitely think the ball is rolling now. Getting those first couple of games were really important just to get a sense of who I'm playing with and those partnerships and developing those in training as well," the forward said.
"We picked up a couple of injuries here and there so it's not easy, but I think we're on the right track and we have so much time still to continue developing those partnerships."
The season is only going to get tougher from here, though, and the first real big test is coming up on Sunday when Manchester City visit Anfield. City are the league leaders at the moment, too, with seven points from the first three matches of the season. Liverpool, on the other hand, have only gotten their first win last weekend against Tottenham, and have had two draws otherwise - results of losing concentration for a split second and being punished.
"We have to be super-focused. I think it goes to show, our match against Tottenham wasn't easy but on a good day we can win," Smith continued.
"I think we have the talent in this team to do that. We have individual talent, as a team we come together very well. So I think once we're focused and have the right mindset and we're on a good day, we can win.
"Winning those three points [at Tottenham], we've had a massive spiritual boost just within us. I feel like we're a very tight-knit family as well. So just having that and taking away the three points, all the excitement is building up this week. To have that going into our next match is very important."
The Women play at Anfield on Sunday at 3pm BST, with tickets available here if you're lucky enough to be in the area.
