InterviewBeata Olsson: Liverpool is a dream move for me, it means a lot to be here
Beata Olsson spoke of her excitement about signing for Liverpool FC Women and aim to reward the club's faith in her.
The 24-year-old today arrived from Kristianstads DFF having gained experience so far both in her homeland and the USA.
Liverpool's new No.11 is delighted to make the move to Merseyside and could make her debut on Sunday at Anfield in the season-opener against Everton (kick-off 12pm BST).
After sealing her switch at the AXA Melwood Training Centre, Sweden U23 international Olsson sat down with Liverpoolfc.com to discuss her dream move…
Beata, a very warm welcome to Liverpool FC. What does it mean to you to be here?
Thank you so much. It means so much to me. This is such an historic football club and the best league in the world, and I think it's a great step for me. I'm so excited to be here.
When did you hear about Liverpool's interest and what impressed you about what you were told?
We were talking in the summer and my first call with Gareth [Taylor] and Andy [O'Boyle] was very impressive. Everything they shared about the vision and the way they want to improve the club for the women, it's really cool and I was impressed by the style of play and what they want to accomplish.
Liverpool is a huge name in Scandinavia, so you will be well aware of the history of this club?
Yes, absolutely and I have so many friends who are massive Liverpool fans. I've always followed Liverpool. I think it's a great, historic club with some good achievements and I hope there's more to come. For me it means a great deal to be here.
How excited are you by this new challenge and moving to a new country as well?
I think it's going to be really cool. I've always wanted to play in England and to play for a club like Liverpool is just a dream. So, for me this means the world, and I'm very excited to get started and to see what I can contribute.
What did your family and friends say? Were they all delighted for you?
I don't think they could believe it yet! Me neither, honestly, it's like a dream and I'm so excited.
How much are you looking forward to working with head coach Gareth Taylor?
A lot. We have already had a few conversations, and I've been really impressed at what he sees for the style of play and hopefully scoring some great goals, which is what I will be focusing on. I'm excited to get started with him.
Tell us about your football journey so far, as you also had a spell in Florida early on in your career…
I went to college in the US and I played for Florida State with a lot of great players. I picked up a great deal on how to be a professional and how to perform at the highest level. Everything in the US was always competition so you could never draw and it always goes to extra-time. So, I learned how to be a winner and that's one of my best traits. After that I came back to Sweden for two years and that was also a great challenge with a lot of physical play.
And what did your teammates at Kristianstads DFF say when you told them about this new challenge?
They were all really happy for me. I leave behind some great friends, it's a great club and I know they are very happy for me to get this move.
Tell us what you feel your strengths are as a striker and what you feel you can bring to this team?
I think I'm at my best in the box. I love scoring goals and getting in the right places to do that. I see where the ball is coming next and I always work really hard to get my goal. I want to be as aggressive as I can, high pressure, winning the ball back and getting in the box to score and create goals. I think I'm rather quick so I like running in behind and putting pressure on the centre-backs.
I know you'll feel right at home straight away here because you know Kappy [Cornelia Kapocs], a fellow Swede…
I've spoken to her and it's very exciting. We actually played together many years ago for a few years so I know her well.
You are joining an exciting, young team – how much are you looking forward to helping them grow even further?
Very much. For me this is the perfect environment to be in. I want to be somewhere where people have hunger and want to develop, not just the club but also as individuals, because I believe that me and many other players here have a long way to go and you can always get better.
How much are you looking forward to getting to know your teammates and coming every day to the fantastic AXA Melwood Training Centre?
It's really cool. It's such a step up for me and I am so excited. When I got out of the car and saw this it was just amazing, how professional everything is, the staff, all the facilities are amazing.
And how much are you looking forward to meeting the Liverpool fans? They love strikers and they will definitely get a song going for you...
So much. I think the fans are the biggest part of football and we wouldn't be anything without it. For me, coming to a place like Liverpool in the city, in the heart of it, I'm really looking forward to it.
You potentially could make your debut for the club on Sunday at Anfield against Everton in a Merseyside derby. What does that sound like?
That is amazing, it would be such a dream for me. I hope it can happen, that would be a great start to my Liverpool career, maybe scoring in front of the Kop!
And, lastly, how much are you looking forward to seeing the city as well?
I've heard so much about the city. It seems a great place, very familiar and everyone seems so friendly, which I always value coming from a small town in Sweden and it means a lot. I'm looking forward to seeing what the city has to offer for me.