‘I know my role’ – O’Sullivan on Liverpool challenge

It was an “emotional” decision by Denise O’Sullivan to leave the club she captained and had spent almost a decade with – but the challenge of helping Liverpool escape a relegation battle was one she could not ignore.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder played more than 150 games for National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side North Carolina Courage.

Liverpool broke their club record transfer to bring her in earlier this month and were immediately rewarded when she scored six minutes into her debut in a 6-0 FA Cup win over fourth-tier side London Bees.

“It reminds me a bit of being back home in Cork. People are just so friendly and they want you to settle in quickly, so the transition has been seamless,” she told BBC Sport.

“People in Ireland were absolutely buzzing that I was signing for a club like Liverpool and I think my family was just as excited.

“I am close to home now – it’s only a 40-minute flight – so they can come and watch me play whenever.

“I want to leave a legacy here and bring in my leadership and my experiences. I want to be impactful for the younger players. Every single day I want to help them get better and be a role model.”

The task for O’Sullivan is clear – to help Liverpool move off the bottom of the Women’s Super League table and pick up points.

Gareth Taylor’s side remain without a win in the WSL this season but have acted in the transfer window, adding six new signings – including O’Sullivan.

The Reds, two-time WSL winners, moved into elite training facilities at Melwood in 2023 but have fallen behind England’s biggest clubs on the pitch.

“I think the club has a clear vision. They want the team, in the next few years, to be up there and winning WSL titles,” said O’Sullivan.

“I know the situation that the team is in and the main thing is to help them get out of that situation and out of the relegation battle. That’s what I want to give.

“When you come to a massive club like Liverpool, there’s an automatic responsibility on your shoulders to perform and to give 100% for the shirt.

“It’s really exciting for me and a big challenge. The club has a lot of history and has won numerous trophies. They’re one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

O’Sullivan, who has 128 caps for the Republic of Ireland, has watched Liverpool from afar and believes their performances deserved more points.

Now there is more competition in the squad from the new arrivals, O’Sullivan says Liverpool have been working on their “identity” in training.

“Their style of play is really going to suit me well. They’re a high-pressing team which I love as a player. I’m aggressive,” said O’Sullivan.

“They really do have a clear identity and style of play, and I know my role within the team now. You can hold each other accountable to that role.

“I think that’s a really, really positive thing and Gareth [Taylor] has been great so far. He’s a really good coach and the little details that he sees is something that I haven’t had that much of.”

As well as becoming a key player on the pitch, O’Sullivan hopes to pass on her experience of over 150 appearances in the NWSL.

The 31-year-old has represented clubs in the United States, Australia, Scotland and England, as well as her native Ireland.

“I had a lot of amazing experiences and also a lot of adversity within North Carolina Courage and within the NWSL throughout the years,” she added.

“I’ve learned to be very resilient in those moments and to be a leader to help the team during those moments. It’s been fantastic and I’ve learned how to win.

“I won seven trophies there, I became captain of the club and that’s something I’ll really cherish. I can take away a lot from it.”

Her time in the NWSL has kept her out of the British spotlight, aside from her appearances with the national team.

O’Sullivan never felt undervalued by those back home but she’s excited to be in England and surrounded by a relentless football culture.

“The NWSL is a league that maybe people don’t watch as much in Europe. That’s just how it is. I was completely fine with that and it didn’t bother me,” she said.

“I just wanted to play football. I knew over there that I was helping the Courage and that’s really all that mattered in my eyes.

“I think people really appreciate me in Ireland and when I play for my country, they know what I give. I definitely have a new energy within me.

“When you’re faced with a new challenge it’s always exciting and I hope I can learn a lot and be impactful with this team, then bring that to the national team as well.”

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed