NewsRachael Laws interview: 'LFC Women is my home and I've still got a lot to give'
Rachael Laws described it as a 'no-brainer' to commit herself to Liverpool FC Women by putting pen to paper on a new contract.
The 34-year-old is a big favourite among supporters and believes a bright future lies ahead for the club.
The Reds reached the semi-finals of the Adobe Women's FA Cup last season and were narrowly beaten by eventual winners Chelsea, with Laws confident about an upward trajectory for this squad.
Read on as the goalkeeper spoke to Liverpoolfc.com moments after inking fresh terms.
You have to accept cookies in order to view this content on our site.
Rachael, congratulations on signing a new deal with Liverpool FC Women…
Over the summer it was a no-brainer when the club said they wanted to keep me here. This is my home – I've got a house here – and it was a no-brainer. When they said they wanted to keep me I was like, 'Where do I sign?' I'm looking forward to the next year or so, so let's see what happens.
The supporters hold a great affection for you. Is their support a big reason as well why you wanted to stay at this club?
Of course, and it's always nice when you are getting your name chanted by the crowd. The fans have been fantastic for me from day one and not just [now] but my first spell as well they welcomed me with open arms. I like to repay them in the best way I can – whether that is by good performances or wins. The fans have been a pivotal part of my time here and long may that continue.
You did very well as a team in the Women's FA Cup last season and were a crossbar away from reaching Wembley. There is some good potential in this squad, isn't there?
There is and you can see that over the last couple of years with some of the players we have signed. Unfortunately, we have lost Liv [Olivia Smith] and Taylor [Hinds], and Taylor was a constant for us and if her shot had gone in we would have all been at Wembley with our best friends. Liv is a massive talent and we wish them all well, Jas [Matthews], Yana [Daniels], all of them. But we are building a squad here and we are looking forward to the future now. The club are doing all they can behind the scenes to bring new faces in to build us up. Because we are not just an XI, we are a squad, a family. Being a family is what it's like here and that is the feeling we have got.
With captain Niamh Fahey retiring and Taylor's departure, do you feel that as a real leader in the dressing room you have a big part to play in helping the new arrivals settle?
Yes, absolutely. Me and Niamh were keeping up the average a little bit but we always classed ourselves as leaders, among a lot of leaders in the squad. But now Niamh and Taylor have gone, I feel like I've got a responsibility to put my arm around people – I did that before. With the young ones coming through, it's important that they feel the older ones really support them in the squad and they have got somebody to turn to if they need that. I feel like I've always been that person but even more so now with Niamh gone.
A new goalkeeper has arrived during the summer in Rafaele Borggrafe – how is she settling in?
She is brilliant. She is a real character, let me say. I've had a lot of chats with her that go on for quite a while and she is a very chatty person. And having only seen her for a couple of days on the training pitch, she is a very good goalkeeper and she is going to add a lot to this goalkeeping unit. Me, Rafa and Faye [Kirby] will all learn off each other and push each other to be the best we can be. But what a great addition to the squad.
You are still very ambitious and you have seen off a lot of competition in the past. You are not ready to give up your place as No.1 here…
Absolutely not. I'm under no illusion that I am getting older but as a goalkeeper I still feel I've got a little bit longer yet. Rafa has come in, Faye has obviously been here a while now and she is back better than ever from injury. Whoever gets that No.1 shirt has well earned it but we are going to push each other. I'm here to play ultimately and if I don't, I know I can add different things to this squad in different ways. Whoever plays has earned it but I'll be knocking on that door.