Interviews

Phillips: Sky's the limit for Symonds

Head coach is delighted with young midfielder's progress this season and feels she has a bright future.

By Bruce Talbot • 25 November 2023

By Kyle Hemsley
Maisie Symonds was fouled for a penalty in our win over West Ham in midweek.

Melissa Phillips says there is no limit to what midfielder Maisie Symonds can achieve in the game.

The 20-year-old played a starring role in Wednesday’s Conti Cup win over West Ham United on the day she was named in the England under-23 squad for the first time in over a year.

Symonds made her Albion debut back in 2021 but last year was wrecked by injury and illness, restricting her to just two substitute appearances. But already this campaign she has made nine appearances.

“Maisie has just been a fantastic part of this team, especially coming back off a really difficult year with illness and injury and I think she still is an exciting young prospect,” said Phillips.

02:59

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Phillips's Liverpool press conference

“She has just got her first call back into the England under-23s. It is very well deserved and it comes at a time when she is really flying. She has just progressed from strength to strength since pre-season, is finding her way into the starting line-up and will [continue to] do so quite consistently.

“She is focussed on being able to impact a game in possession and has a far better understanding now out of possession as well when it comes to the spaces to occupy.

01:46

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Symonds: Recent run has made us stronger

"She has always been able to disrupt and break up counter-attacking play and stick in some big tackles, but from a tactical point of view she has gone to a high level and has set her mind on some pretty high goals.

“Maisie wants to be a top player in the women’s game full stop, and when you have ambition like that, you don’t put a ceiling on yourself. She, like other players in our squad who are in the England under-23s – Poppy Pattinson, Katie Robinson – will want to break into that senior England side at some point.”