InterviewMissy Bo Kearns: Promotion at Ashton Gate was special but let's make more memories
Missy Bo Kearns is hoping to help Liverpool FC Women enjoy another special afternoon at Ashton Gate on Sunday, when they visit Bristol City Women in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Back in April 2022, the Scouser scored the final goal to wrap up a 4-2 win at the stadium, a result that clinched the FA Women’s Championship title and secured promotion back to the Barclays Women’s Super League.
But as the Reds now approach their first fixture of 2024, Kearns has sent out a rallying call to her teammates to try to create new memories.
Ahead of the fourth-round tie (1pm GMT kick-off), read on as Kearns speaks to Liverpoolfc.com about that great day at Ashton Gate and why it’s time for Matt Beard’s squad to stay focused and maintain their encouraging form…
On how beneficial it was to have a break over Christmas…
It was good to get the eight days off and spend time with family and friends and switch off. I went on holiday with my mum and did the programme that we had in place. So it was just nice to get a change of scenery away from Melwood. But as soon as it was time to come back in, we were ready and we hit the ground running really quick.
On keeping in touch with staff and teammates during the break…
We got time off but Colm [Smith, strength and conditioning coach] was constantly texting us saying make sure you’ve done your session and make sure you are sending in what we have done. So you are away but you are not away – but I think that’s part of Liverpool Football Club and they are always on hand whenever you need them.
On whether you can fully switch off during downtime…
I think it’s hard to fully switch off because it’s midway through the season, but there’s times when you can not think about football. And the sessions that you do aren’t as much pitch-based, they are more in the gym, so it’s different. I think in that aspect you can switch off, reset and recharge. But it’s always in the back of your mind that you are doing those sessions because we are coming back to perform again for the remainder of the season.
On Sunday’s return to Ashton Gate and bringing back great memories of promotion to the WSL…
Obviously it will be special to go back there, to the place where we won the league. But this is a different game, it’s a cup competition with it being the FA Cup, so it’s not going to be easy. But we want to progress to the next round. It’s not what we did then but it’s, ‘What can we do now?’ I think that’s the most important thing and it’s having our mindset as, ‘That was great but let’s make more memories there and progress to the next round because we want to be winning silverware again this year.’
On the 1-1 draw in the WSL with Bristol City at Prenton Park in December…
I think it’s more motivation for us this Sunday because we wanted to win that game and we want to win every game of football we play, but it wasn’t to be. Now is the time to do it. It’s a must-win game or you are out of the cup, so I think it’s come at a perfect time for us to try to get this win.
On how special playing in cup competitions is as a player…
Cup games are what you play for because every player plays because you want to win things. It’s not just playing matches, it’s winning things and trying to be successful. The FA Cup is one of the biggest competitions and I know as a team we want to do well in it, and it all starts on Sunday.
On how she has felt the campaign has gone so far on a personal level…
It’s not been as smooth for me as it has been in the past, but that’s football and it’s how I’m learning and developing, knowing my roles and responsibilities when I’m playing. Obviously you want to play as much as possible but sometimes it is what it is and now in this second half of the season I’m ready to kick on, keep improving and try to finally score!
On Beard picking up the WSL Manager of the Month award for December…
It’s deserved. Where we are in the table, it speaks for itself if you compare it to last season. He wants us to keep improving and keep getting better.