Laws believes 'special' Melwood will boost Liverpool

Rachael Laws admits it feels "surreal" for Matt Beard's Liverpool to be training at Melwood. 

The Reds enjoyed their first session there yesterday after switching to the facilities used by the men's side prior to their move to Kirby in November 2020. 

And Laws is over the moon about her team's new chapter ahead of the 2023-24 Women's Super League campaign. 

The keeper, 32, said: "It's a bit surreal. I actually don't think it's sunk in yet.

"We came in last Thursday to have a look around and everyone was a bit lost for words.

"I know people have visited here and there but to come in and [know] this is our home, it's really special. 

"I think that's the word I'm probably going to use for a while."

Liverpool continue their pre-season campaign with a friendly at rivals Manchester United today.

The Reds finished seventh in the WSL last term after being promoted in 2021-22. 

And with the aid of their new training ground, Laws believes Beard's side can reach new heights.

Speaking to Liverpool's official website, she added: "We're not just settling for making up numbers in this league, we want to compete and a facility like this can only bode well for us in the future.

"We had a meeting last week and we kind of set out our aims and objectives for the season.

"We're Liverpool Football Club, it's a worldwide club. We wear that badge on our chest with pride and we go into every game wanting to win.

"It's the same in training. It's so competitive at the moment and I think that little competitive edge in training we are taking into games now, which is really important."

Liverpool kick off their WSL campaign with a trip to Arsenal on October 1 and host Aston Villa the following weekend.