Despite last season's very underwhelming 11th place finish in the Barclays Women's Super League, Liverpool Women come into this campaign with substantially higher hopes and expectations.
Gareth Taylor's team have made six new signings so far this summer, most-recently announcing the arrival of Natalia Ramos from CD Tenerife Femenino on Thursday. However, on top of new recruits, Marie Höbinger's return could also elevate this team.
The 25 year old last featured for the Reds on 12 October last year, replaced after just 26 minutes due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered during the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield. Now though, the Austrian is nearing a return, and cannot wait to be back.
Marie Höbinger on being back in training
"It’s good to be back in training. That’s something you really work towards for a long time... I’ve really enjoyed being back with my friends, and being on the pitch with people I’ve shared so many memories with is really nice. I just love playing football so much. I’ve missed it every day, I can’t lie. Some people maybe enjoy stepping away from football, but my focus was getting back to playing and being better than I was before."Marie Höbinger on her return
Höbinger also thanked the medical staff, her friends and family and Liverpool team mates for supporting her during her rehabilitation. She notes that "they were there for me whether it was a good day or a bad one... celebrated my small wins... the coaches also made me feel very valued, which is special".
The Austrian also makes it clear that she is determined to be back as quickly as possible, needing to "remind myself to take it easy" out on the grass at Melwood. While she is in full training, it remains to be seen if Höbinger will feature during the Reds' pre-season program.
They will face Sheffield United, Leicester, Birmingham and Manchester United at various training grounds this month, concluding pre-season by taking on Durham in St Helens.
MARIE HOBINGER TAKE A BOW!! 🤯
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) October 8, 2023
What a strike that is to give Liverpool the lead! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/R2KoWyc1FC
Once the serious business begins, why will Höbinger's return be such a boost for Taylor? Well, she is unquestionably one of the best players in this Liverpool squad. The 25 year old has accumulated 49 caps for Austria, scoring seven times, featuring in two of their Euro 2022 matches in England.
In 2023/24, she was Liverpool's Fans' Player of the Year and the club's Young Player of the Year, having scored five goals and registered four WSL assists that year. Thus, alongside new recruit Ramos as well as Ceri Holland and Fūka Nagano, the Reds' midfield options are looking strong.
With several new signings arriving at Melwood ahead of the new campaign, the Austrian international stressed the importance of bringing the group together:
"All of us really want to integrate the new players and show them what it means to play for this club. There are a few German-speaking friends who I knew from before and I think all the signings are going to add a lot of quality. The team spirit we have is special and that is a strength we can have over other teams. It’s my fourth season now and it feels like my safe place."
A self-described fierce competitor, the midfielder recognises the need to temper her instincts during the initial phases of pre-season work while working toward full match sharpness:
"I’m super-competitive so in the first training session I probably had to remind myself to take it easy. I think it should be step by step. I want to get match-fit and my first minutes. Then as I said, find my new role in the team as so many things have changed. I just want to find my confidence again and help the team with the energy built up during months of rehab."
A massive boost for the squad
Having her back on the pitch feels like a brand-new signing in itself. Anyone who has watched her over the last three seasons knows just how crucial her drive and quality are in the middle of the park, and seeing that competitive hunger return after months of agonizing rehab is exactly what this team needs.
It’s completely natural that she’ll need time to find her rhythm and adapt to the new faces around Melwood, but her presence alone raises the standard in training. If she can build up those match minutes gradually and rediscover that belief, she’s going to be a key weapon for us in the months ahead.
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