Leanne Kiernan: I'm feeling confident and in a really good place

After returning from a long injury lay-off, the Republic of Ireland forward has been looking sharper week by week with appearances off the bench for the Reds.

Matt Beard’s side return to duty from the international break on Sunday with a trip to Aston Villa Women in the WSL.

Liverpool are currently fifth in the standings, just two points off fourth-placed Manchester United, while Villa lie in eighth but are in good form following a tough start to the campaign.

Read on as Kiernan speaks with Liverpoolfc.com about the team’s progress so far this season and how she is feeling sharp again...

On the win last time out at Brighton & Hove Albion to go into the international break in great spirits…

For sure it was a great win for us and it was important to leave Brighton with the three points, a really important game. We are looking forward to the next few games. There was a great craic in the dressing room after the Brighton game but we nearly missed our flight going off to the internationals, so we had to rush off!

On how special it was for her to return to the international fold…

It was amazing. It’s always nice to play for your country, especially Ireland, and it was really nice to be around all the Irish girls. It has been eight months or so since I was last in, so that was really nice to be back. I got good minutes, my family was there to see me and I managed to get home too, so I think my luck is finally changing and it’s coming back! The goals are coming, I can feel it. I’m just really happy to be back, it’s great being back with the group and I feel like I am in a really good place both mentally and physically, so hopefully the fans will see the real Leanne Kiernan back.

On how she is feeling being back on the pitch…

After Christmas I had a bit of a niggle but I’m back now, I’m feeling confident and I’m feeling good. I want to give a shoutout to our fans who have kept me going throughout the last two years. It’s meant a lot and hopefully I can give a lot back to them now in the next few weeks. I will keep my head down, work hard and hopefully can look forward to getting back on the scoresheet.

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On Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa…

We know we have great away fans who will be travelling, so we are looking forward to it. There are big games ahead, obviously the FA Cup game is coming up too, so there is lots to look forward to in this month of March. It’s St Patrick’s Day soon as well, so I can’t wait!

On the team’s encouraging progress this season…

We are a close-knit group and everyone gets on really well. I know that’s a bit cliché but we actually do. There’s a real family culture here at Liverpool and, to be fair, Beardy has done a great job of keeping it close-knit. It’s important. No matter if you are number one on the teamsheet or 22, you are just as important and everybody knows that. We want to play against the best teams and the best players and test ourselves. It’s going well so far, so hopefully we can keep going and keep getting the three points on the board.

On seeing herself on the mural just as you walk in the main entrance of the AXA Melwood Training Centre…

It means so much to me. I remember when I walked in here the first day and I FaceTimed my family to show them it. It’s just really nice to feel part of it I guess and it’s a big massive move for the women’s team. I feel like the women’s team deserve it and Liverpool have been great at supporting the women. This is a really nice club to be a part of and a lot of girls always ask me when I’m away on international duty, ‘How do you feel in Liverpool?’ I tell them Liverpool feels like home to me and I really enjoy it.