Liverpool defender secures status as club legend in emphatic victory

If anyone was to question Gemma Bonner's status as a Liverpool legend, her sublime showing against Brighton & Hove Albion surely put paid to that.

Earlier this month, the centre-back's 135th competitive Reds outing - against Manchester City in the Continental League Cup - saw her surpass Ashley Hodson to become the club's record appearance holder in the Women's Super League (WSL) era. And, ahead of Sunday's clash with the Seagulls, Ian Callaghan - who himself knows a thing or two about breaking appearance records having featured a staggering 857 times for the men's team - presented Bonner with a shirt to commemorate her impressive feat.

It was a fitting way to celebrate a player who is so often an unsung hero for Matt Beard's side. The 32-year-old - who won back-to-back WSL titles with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014 - returned to Merseyside in January after spells with Manchester City and Racing Louisville.

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Since then, her experience, composure and immense quality has helped transform Liverpool from an inconsistent, mid-table side to one of the promising outfits in the top flight. "Gemma is very demanding of herself and she’s definitely a student of the game," manager Beard said of his no.23 after her milestone appearance against City.

"She’s been great for the younger players here since she returned to the club in January too. She’s just a wonderful, wonderful person, a gifted football player and I’m very lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to work with her."

And perhaps Sunday's presentation served as extra inspiration for the defender, as she turned in one