The Canadian has more than impressed this season so far.
It has been a banner season for our young Canadian international. The club announced on Friday that Olivia Smith had been voted by fans as the Standard Chartered Women’s Player of the Month for March, the fourth time this season.
Teammated Taylor Hinds and Fuka Nagano took second and third places in the poll, respectively.
Smith has been a starter in the four of five fixtures in March, and has been an integral part of interim manager Amber Whiteley’s squad going forward following the departure of Matt Beard. Smith’s most memorable moment in Red so far has to be contributing two goals to Liverpool’s first Women’s Super League win at Anfield against rivals Manchester United Women, including a shot from the penalty spot.
“It means the world to me but this is not possible without my teammates putting in the work that they have,” Smith told the club website after being given the award.
“I’m super grateful to the fans. It really is an honour especially at this club because it’s such a big club, and to share it with my dad as well as this is his favourite club as well.
“Our fans are amazing, just the energy that they give us every game.”
Smith credits a lot of the squad’s recent success to Whiteley’s change in formation, as well as the combinations of everyone’s individual skills finding harmony. She also recognizes that the support of her family, being there to watch her play, is a huge boost.
“I think the shift in formation suited us really well with all of our individual qualities matched together,” the Canadian international explained.
“The FA Cup win at Arsenal was a great feeling, especially with our fans down there supporting us – they were unreal.
“The Manchester United game was special with my family being there and history was definitely made. It was special to score twice and then the penalty in front of the Kop in front of our fans.
“I looked up to my family when I scored, so it was such a great feeling. I would say that night is up there with one of the best I’ve had in football so far.”
The season is quickly wrapping up and the Red Women sit at fifth when they play on Sunday, hosting Tottenham Hotspur Women for the last time this season, and Smith expressed her optimism for the end of the season.
“I think the drive and belief that Amber gives us has helped us a lot. Training has been going well and the team looks great,” Smith continued.
“We want to get the three points on Sunday but we know that they are a top side as well. We never underestimate any team we play against but we are looking really sharp in training.
“The team spirit is amazing – it’s family, it’s love, it’s everything.”