Q&ADenise O'Sullivan: There's massive potential here - I'm going to give it 100 per cent

With almost 130 caps for her country, Republic of Ireland midfielder O'Sullivan joins the Reds after a lengthy and successful spell in the USA with North Carolina Courage.

A competitive player with leadership skills on and off the pitch, the new No.6 hopes to bring experience and support the squad's younger players as they keep developing.

Soon after putting the finishing touches to her move at the AXA Melwood Training Centre, O'Sullivan sat down with Liverpoolfc.com for her first interview as a Red.

Read our chat in full below…

Denise, a very warm welcome to Liverpool FC. What does it mean for you to be here?

It means a lot. It's a very proud moment for myself and also for my family, who are now only a 40-minute flight away. Liverpool is a massive club and I think when you join a club as big as Liverpool it comes with massive responsibility and I can't wait to get to work and to give 100 per cent every day.

Liverpool has a very proud association with Ireland in both the men's and women's teams, so how proud does it make you feel to be a part of that now?

Yes it does [make me proud]. There's a lot of Irish people over here and I've met a lot of people already and everyone is so kind. I've felt part of it already and everyone has been so welcoming. I also know a few of the girls here from Ireland so to have them here is very special and I'm looking forward to the journey.

You've won more than 125 caps for Ireland so far. How special is it to represent your country?

I love playing for my country. It's the pinnacle getting to represent Ireland and every time I put on that shirt it's special and hopefully many more caps.

What was the main attraction for you to sign for Liverpool?

I think there are a lot of things. Obviously Liverpool is a massive club and speaking to Gareth and seeing his direction and his ambitions for the club, I think the team has massive potential and I'm really excited to get started.

How impressed were you with head coach Gareth and managing director Andy O'Boyle with the vision they have for this club?

I was very impressed. I think they have a very clear vision of what they want from each player and from the team. Everything here is really special and I think the team has a lot of potential. Some of them are world-class and there's a lot of really impressive things that drew me to this club.

What are your first impressions of the AXA Melwood Training Centre?

Unbelievable. I've been getting videos of this place and it's really special. I think you have to be here to really realise what it's like. Everything is amazing here, it's where you want to be and I feel like you feel like you are a professional when you show up here and that's what I want.

Your Ireland teammate Leanne Kiernan of course is here and our former captain Niamh Fahey in her new role. Did you speak to them before you came to Liverpool?

I did. I've had conversations with them and they expressed what it meant for them to be here and how special it is. I was really excited to come here and having those girls here, I've known them for over 10 years. I played with Niamh for 10 to 15 years and I always looked up to her because she is a leader and I learned a lot from her. So to have her and Leanne here is very special. I think it's important to have people around you like that. You can really get along on the pitch but also off the pitch as well, they are there to support you and they are good friends as well as teammates and I'm very excited.

You know assistant manager Amber Whiteley pretty well, too…

I do, through Ireland. Amber is a really great person, she has got a lot of quality as a coach and that's what drew me here too.

You have played in the USA with North Carolina Courage and also had a spell in Australia. Why did you decide this is the right time for a new challenge?

I was with the Courage for 10 years. I had a really special time and have a lot of great memories from there but for me, I want to push myself and I wanted a new challenge. Also, I'm only 40 minutes away from my friends and family, which is really special and the past nine years they have not got to see me play very much as I've been a long way from home. So, to have them now come over and watch the games, especially for my mum, to be able to take care of her at a pretty short distance is really special.

From a football perspective, it's been a tough season for us here but I know you speak about yourself as someone who's never one to shy away from a challenge, you're determined to play your part in helping the girls turn things around…

Yes, 100 per cent and that's why I came here. I want to help this team and it's important to get results and that's what I'm here for, to have an impact. I want to come in and have an impact from the first minute and get going with the team. I am a natural leader, I want to lead by example and lead with humility as well, bring everyone up around me and that's what I'm here to do.

You bring not only a wealth of experience, but such strong leadership skills as well, which can be so important in tough times. Is that something you feel you can help bring to the young team?

We have a lot of young players here and I think I can make a difference and be a help to them. I want to lead by example, I want to show up every day and give 100 per cent and drive this team on to get results.

Talk to us about your style of play as well, because that strength of character we've just spoken about, it's how you play your football as well, you like to be quite competitive, enjoy a challenge on the field…

I've got a really competitive drive and that's from being the youngest in my family growing up! Also I have a winning mentality, I want to show up and I want to give 100 per cent. I want to set the standards and drive the team on. I think that's really important to drive everyone around you and I want to get results.

Has Gareth told you what he expects from you?

Yes. I've spoken with Gareth a few times and he expects me to come in and be a leader. He expects me to be a professional every single day and the position on the pitch he wants me to play. We've spoken about all that so I'm really excited to get going.

How much are you looking forward to meeting the Liverpool fans? I can tell you they are very passionate and will have a song for you very soon...

I'm really excited to meet the fans. They are the reason we can play the game so I'm excited to be in front of them and I want to show them I will give 100 per cent for the badge every day.

You've called America home for a number of years now but you're a Cork native, so living in the city now, this probably feels a lot closer to your roots. Are you looking forward to taking in the surroundings?

Yes, definitely. I've been to Liverpool before, my family have been to Liverpool a lot, they absolutely love it, so it's a great city and I'm excited to get to know the place.

I imagine your family will be coming over to watch games? It's a bit closer for them than America! You've got five brothers and four sisters, so you might have your hands full sorting tickets...

[Laughs] Yes, they have already been on to me trying to book flights! Look, it's very special and I'm very lucky to have them. They have supported me throughout my whole life so me signing for Liverpool is more for them as well and they are really proud.

Finally, do you have a message for the Liverpool supporters?

I just want to say I am really excited to be here. I have heard so many great things about this team, you guys, the city, and I can't wait to go out and give 100 per cent every single day and show you what I can do to help this team.