Liverpool FC have signed Warrington's Layla Smith

For Toni Smith, mum of a huge Liverpool fan, seeing her nine-year-old girl, Layla Smith, sign with the Reds was a very proud moment as she has been blown away with how hard she has worked.

“I’m proud beyond. She puts absolutely everything into it. If we’re just sat there watching TV, she’s got a ball. She’s worked so, so, so hard, we’re blown away,” Toni said, who lives in Bewsey.

Layla wants to keep pushing on in her football journey and has eyes on the Lionesses for the future.

“I love it. I saw my brother playing it and I wanted to start playing it too.

“I want to play for England,” said the Bewsey Lodge Primary School pupil.

Layla will join Liverpool FC in August

Layla – nicknamed Layla van Dijk after Liverpool defender Virgil – started with Warrington Rylands nearly two years ago and she has only gone in an upwards direction since.

Toni continued: “She went down and straight away she was a natural talent.

“She took her journey to Earlestown and since then she has just come on leaps and bounds because she’s been playing with the boys team on a Saturday and then she went to a girls team and played up a year."

Earlestown Athletic have also part a part in Layla's development

After being scouted by Manchester City last year which was not meant to be, she then trialled at Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Layla was offered contracts at United and Liverpool but she chose the team of her heart.

“She trained all throughout lockdown she trained every day and it has paid off now,” mum added.

Layla will join Liverpool in August.