Q&AKhiara Keating interview: Joining LFC Women, family ties and Gareth Taylor support
Liverpool FC Women is now a family affair for new signing Khiara Keating.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper, an England international, has completed a switch to the Reds following the expiry of her Manchester City contract.
She is now a member of the same club as her younger sister, Aiyarna, who is part of Liverpool's academy system.
In her first interview with Liverpoolfc.com at the AXA Melwood Training Centre, Khiara explained how that sibling connection was one of many attractions in making the move.
Read on for the chat in full.
Khiara, congratulations, a Liverpool player. How does that sound?
Yeah, it's mad. But I'm happy to be here, I'm happy to be part of such a great club.
Did it happen fairly quickly?
Yeah. I think the decision [was] that I needed to put myself first and go somewhere where I'm valued and I'm playing great football. So, it was kind of on my mind. But Liverpool is the place where we are now, so I'm happy.
You've had a walk around. It's an impressive site and historic as well...
I've heard this is where the men used to be, so I'm grateful to be in such a special club and special place.
What was it about this place, the club, the badge, the history that attracted you to this place so much when you found out they were interested?
I think everyone knows Liverpool worldwide. It's such a big club and I think the women's team is striving for greatness. I think the style of football that they play, they actually try to play – which suits me and my position. I think they're just going in the right direction and [it is] a project that I want to be part of.
And that direction got a lot better towards the end of last season. You'll have been looking at it thinking, 'I wouldn't mind it there'...
I mean, it's football and nothing is ever plain sailing. But from what I've seen and the girls and the chats that I've had, it's only going to get better. I'm excited to be a part of it.
It feels like a start, doesn't it? That excitement that this team could now go on to big things...
Yeah. I think everyone wants to win. I wouldn't come here if they didn't want to win as well. I think the whole aura about this club is that they want to win trophies. Hopefully we go and do it.
It's a head coach you're familiar with as Gareth Taylor gave you your debut...
Gareth has given me the chance from when I was 17, 18 to join the first team [at Manchester City], so I have nothing but respect. I can't wait to see how that journey goes.
Does that play a big part then? You know him, you know the way he plays, you know the way he will want you to play...
Yeah. I think we all know how Gareth used to play at City – we actually played football. I think playing out suits me very well. He's taught me a lot. I'm sure it will go great. He's a good guy.
Talk to us about your family as well, because this isn't just a player that joins Liverpool. Liverpool are pretty ingrained in the family already as your younger sister plays for the club. Did she have a big say in this?
To be fair, she mentioned it! She was like, 'It would be cool.' She's always supportive, so is all my family, but she's already settled here and really enjoying life. So, I thought I'd join her.
These are dreams that you would have acted out in the house, in the garden, in the park, that maybe one day you could celebrate a goal together...
I know! I saw a fact and it's actually quite scary that in two years she could legally be on the same team as me. So, it is absolutely crazy. But she's still not scoring past me yet!
How big of a day is this for the family? I've heard all kinds of stories about when you were trialling for your first academy team and you were a striker then. You had to lend your brother's gloves to go in goal...
I think my football journey has been crazy. I think starting as a striker and then going to a 'keeper, then being at [Manchester] United, City and now Liverpool, it's been a whole whirlwind. Without my family, it definitely wouldn't be possible. There's loads of them, as I'm sure you'll see at every game. The support that they give me is indescribable and I'm forever grateful.
Have there been tears? I think it was your mum who first convinced you to have a go at football...
My mum acts like she's all tough and hard but she's really not! She crumbles a few times. They're all very proud of me and excited to be on this journey with me as well.
Have you thought about Anfield yet?
We've obviously played there a few times when I was at City and it's a special stadium, special club. I can't wait to go and represent Liverpool.
It's a special experience for an away goalkeeper because famously when they run into the Kop end, the whole crowd applauds them. But they're going to be your crowd now and that noise behind you for those big games is going to be special...
I think fans are always important but fans at Anfield will be a special, special feeling my first time.
Your home will be St Helens, though, and they've created some good history there already. Are you looking forward to playing there in front of the home support?
Yeah, I think any game that we play the fans are always going to be important. That's going to be our home where we play the majority of the games and I can't wait to see everyone coming down and supporting.
Your football story has been intriguing for a young player so far. Can you quite believe what has happened in this relatively short career so far?
Sometimes I think about it but I just try to stay on the go and keep myself as busy as possible. But I think the Euros was definitely – and obviously winning the league and the FA Cup – very special. Sometimes I actually forget how young I am. I think I've aged like 10 years faster than everyone else! But I think the only way is forward. Obviously I still want to win more trophies, I want to be the best I can be.
There's a couple of things you've said already that lead me to believe that's why you're here now. Albeit you've had a great time so far, your ambitions sound pretty fierce and you want to continue on that upward curve at Liverpool...
The start of my career has been nothing but amazing. I've gained platforms and done brilliant so far. But I needed that missing [piece of the] puzzle – and I think Liverpool can be that – where I'm playing week in, week out and I'm getting good game time, playing with a good team and winning trophies.
It's been a while since we've had an England and Liverpool No.1 – is that featuring in your ambitions as well?
That is in one of my ambitions, so hopefully soon.
Your chapters have been great so far. Do you feel as though the biggest chapter of this book is still to write for you?
Yeah, definitely. I think you can always get better. Everything always happens [so] that you can grow. I'm looking forward to the future and hopefully many more positive memories.
And what might that future look like in two or three years' time? What would you hope Liverpool fans will be saying about you?
That they're glad I signed, first of all! But just that I played my role in the team and the team's success. Hopefully we've done amazing things by then and we can look back on this clip now and say thanks.
Just finally, what would you say to the supporters? What are you looking forward to?
I'm looking forward to being a part of a team that's winning, hopefully, trophies and big, big games, just doing my part. And hopefully you can all be there to support.