NewsRachael Laws signs new contract with Liverpool FC Women

The 31-year-old goalkeeper enjoyed an outstanding 2021-22 for the Reds as she secured the Golden Glove during the campaign to help win the FA Women's Championship.

That included a collection of 13 clean sheets in the league, a new club record in a single season.

The Championship title was a second trophy for Laws with the Reds, having previously won the Barclays Women's Super League back in 2013 while on loan from Sunderland.

She began her second period with the club in the summer of 2020, impressing with her outstanding distribution and communication, as well as her shot-stopping abilities.

LFC Women manager Matt Beard told Liverpoolfc.com: "Lawsy was a leader on and off the pitch last year. Her performances were fantastic. When we needed Lawsy, she stood up tall and made the big saves in some big games in some big moments.

"Her distribution is the best I've ever worked with in a goalkeeper. That's so important in modern football. She can play short, she can play long, her composure and calmness on the ball is a game-changer for us.

"She deserved the new deal and I'm looking forward to seeing her kick on this season."

For Laws, her second period as a Red has coincided with some of the very best form of her career.

She said: "It was such an easy decision when Matt spoke to me and said he wanted me to stay on. The philosophy we have, to build on that and see where we can go, especially in the WSL now we're there.

"I just said, 'When do you want me to sign?' because I'm ready and willing to push this club on. The staff, the men's side, the new girls who've come in have all been absolutely fantastic and we are like a family, and I've never been in a culture like it.

"I'd like to think I'm still in the prime of my career. Goalkeepers do tend to go that little bit longer and get better as they go! I feel like I'm bang on form and last season was probably one of the best, if not the best, of my career."

Laws, though, was quick to share the plaudits for last season's stellar campaign with her defenders and goalkeeping coach Joe Potts, who she previously worked with in 2013.

"I am quick to bat off that the girls in front of me do just as much, if not a little bit more, and they made my job last season a lot easier than it probably should have been," she continued.

"My name was on the Golden Glove but it's everyone, not just me. They helped me have a successful season as I helped them hopefully.

"When I heard Pottsy was coming back, I was absolutely buzzing. He treats you as a player and a person – I think that's really important.

"He understands me, I understand him and I think that's what gets the best out of me. As relationships go, I think it's the best I've had with a goalkeeping coach."

Laws is now looking forward to returning to the WSL in September, a jump in quality she feels the players are fully prepared for.

The No.1 finished: "Since we were last in the WSL, it's come on leaps and bounds. Every team has strengthened this summer, including ourselves.

"We're ready to compete, though we're under no illusion that it's going to be hard. Everyone was itching to come back in and that's a really good sign."