Q&AInterview: Why Liverpool was the best choice for Emilia Szymczak
Emilia Szymczak believes Liverpool FC Women is the best place to continue her development after she joined on loan from FC Barcelona.
The Poland international completed a deadline-day switch to the Reds and will spend the 2025-26 season on Merseyside.
Szymczak represented her country at this year’s Euros and wants to make an immediate impression in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The 19-year-old could make her Liverpool debut in the season-opening Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield on Sunday.
Soon after finalising her temporary move, Szymczak sat down for an interview with Liverpoolfc.com at the AXA Melwood Training Centre.
Watch or read it below.
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Emilia, a very warm welcome to Liverpool Football Club. How pleased are you to be here?
It’s amazing to be here. This is a big club and I’m so happy to be a part of it.
Why did you think this was the right move to make that next step in your career?
I just felt Liverpool has a bright future and I know the WSL and this league is so strong. I know I can develop more as a player here and try, and the club can offer me the best.
You arrive from another huge club in the form of Barcelona, but Liverpool has such a rich history too so what does it mean to be wearing that badge?
Obviously it means a lot to me. The history that they have, it just shows that and I’m looking forward to having an even better future. I’m happy to be a part of it and I can just make sure I can give my best.
You are versatile as a player because you can operate in central midfield and also at centre-back, so what qualities will you bring to this team?
I’ve played in different positions before so I can play as a central midfielder and as a defender, so I think I can bring a lot of confidence here, a lot of qualities. I’m a player that likes to be a leader on the field, I’m so loud, I can talk to the girls and I can help them. So, I think this is what I bring.
It sounds like you enjoy being a leader, even though you're only 19 years old?
Yes, I really like it and that helps me as well, so the confidence that I have, I know it can help my teammates as well. I’m a young player but I do like the leadership [on the field].
You also have international experience with Poland so how has that helped you to develop?
I think playing for my international team is a little bit different than playing for my club. I’ve had that opportunity at a young age and it just helps me a lot to grow, to develop better, play against the best strikers, the best countries in the world, the best players. It just helps me a lot.
And what an incredible experience it must have been to represent your country at this summer’s Euros...
It is everyone’s dream and I could actually be there and play there against the best strikers in the world. I just feel that was the best thing that could happen to me and obviously before coming here to Liverpool it just helped me to grow a lot. We had the camp before to prepare and we played three games there and it helped me a lot.
Did you come away from the tournament and feel that you had really grown as a player?
Yes, I think I have grown a lot, not only as a player but also mentally off the pitch. You go and play on a field but there are so many things mentally to prepare yourself for the games. The games were every three days so you have to take care of everything.
And your Liverpool debut could come in another big occasion, the Merseyside derby at Anfield...
This is the best league in the world and the strongest. That game that is ahead of us, it feels amazing that I can be here before and just experience that. That game is going to be amazing and I’ve just got my fingers crossed for my team. I want to support them all over the field and I’m really looking forward to it.
It will be your first visit to Anfield as well, how special will that be for you?
I’ve never been in England before. There’s no better way to start it! I’m looking forward to it and I just can’t wait to be there and see the stadium. This is my home right now and I’m so happy to be here.
And how much are you looking forward to seeing the city of Liverpool too?
Yes, I feel this is more like in Poland [than Barcelona] as I’m used to having outside a bit of rain! I’m very excited to see it. I can’t wait to see my teammates and I hope I will be able to go out with them [in the city] to get to know them better and build a connection for them. I really like going to the cafes and having a coffee outside, to talk with friends. I hope my family also will be here often so we can just go to the city, see the new restaurants because this is Liverpool and the life here is very different to Barcelona, but I’m looking forward to it.
Finally, do you have a message for the supporters who are really excited to see you in a Liverpool shirt…
I can’t wait to see all of you on Sunday and at all of the games. I just want to assure you that I will give everything for the group and everything to make you happy.