Q&AMartha Thomas on LFC loan move: 'I'm excited and looking forward to helping'
The forward, who has moved to the Reds until the end of the season from Tottenham Hotspur, also has previous Barclays Women's Super League experience with West Ham United and Manchester United.
Scotland international Thomas is expected to be in Taylor's squad for Sunday's trip to London Bees in the Adobe Women's FA Cup fourth round and could make her debut.
After sealing her loan switch, the team's new No.31 sat down with Liverpoolfc.com for her first chat at the AXA Melwood Training Centre. Read the interview below.
Martha, a very warm welcome to Liverpool FC. How happy are you this move has come about?
It means a lot. It's a really exciting time for me and I'm really excited to be here.
So it was a no-brainer for you when Liverpool came calling?
I think they are a really ambitious club and I think it's the right fit, right now in my career. Even though it's a short loan, I'm really looking forward to be here and help this team climb the table where they deserve to be.
When did you hear of Liverpool's interest and what impressed you the most?
I know of Gareth from his time at Manchester City and know how good a coach he is. That drew me and also to play under a coach who is an ex-striker drew me. I'm always keen to learn new things and be coached, in that sense. Other than the draw of being a Liverpool fan, that's what brought me here.
Did you have conversations with Gareth and did he tell you his plans for you?
Yes, we have spoken quite a bit about his expectations for me and where he sees me. I've played in a few positions, whether that's as a No.9, No.10, so hopefully I can find some consistency and be a goalscorer and a goal threat for Liverpool.
You have another connection with Liverpool as you worked under former Reds boss and the much-missed Matt Beard at West Ham…
I miss Beardy a lot. Just a really good guy and he gave me my debut in the WSL for West Ham so he will always have a special place in my heart.
You have a wealth of experience in the WSL at the likes of West Ham, Manchester United and Tottenham. What do you hope to bring to this team?
I want to help this team. A club like Liverpool with the history they have and what a strong foundation they have here is amazing. I think all the right things are in place and now it's just about picking up the points and I hope to help the team do that.
You're a Scotland international and Liverpool has a great affiliation with Scotland with the likes of Sir Kenny Dalglish and of course you know Jenna Clark and Sam Kerr well. Did you speak to them before coming here?
I spoke to them quite a bit. It's important to make sure that not only the football but the people that are here fit me as well, so it's nice to see a few familiar faces and a few others from my time at West Ham with Leanne Kiernan and Grace Fisk, Gemma Evans at Manchester United, so a few familiar faces, which is nice.
It has been a tough start to the season on and off the pitch at this club but new signings are coming in and there's a positive vibe here. How much are you looking forward to being a part of that?
You can [feel that] and I'm really looking forward to it. Results are important and that's how you get points on the table, but you look at Liverpool's performances they have put in this season, I feel they have put strong performances in. It's just about getting over the line and picking up points. I've got full faith in this team. I wouldn't have joined if I didn't think I could help and I didn't think it was a successful project going forward.
Tell us what you feel your strengths are as a striker, because you've scored goals wherever you have played and are also an international for Scotland…
I think I'm a threat in behind, my creativity and I can get on the end of things. I would also say my defending from the front as well, trying to win the ball back and create chances high up the pitch.
How impressed are you with the facilities here at the AXA Melwood Training Centre?
It's brilliant. It means a lot to be here and the facilities are amazing. All the foundations are here ready for us to drive forward in the second half of the season.
Our fans are so passionate about the team, how much are you looking forward to meeting them?
I'm really looking forward to it. That's one of the things that Liverpool are known for, the fan base, the people behind them, so I'm really looking forward to meeting them.