Liverpool star Missy Bo Kearns targeting England role like idol Steven Gerrard

Captain, leader, legend are the words many Liverpool fans would use to describe Steven Gerrard and Missy Bo Kearns is determined to follow in her idol’s footsteps.

The Liverpool midfielder is a diehard Reds fan and has turned into a key player for manager Matt Beard in the Women’s Super League, winning the club’s Player of the Season award for her performances last year. 

Kearns was rewarded for her fine form with a new contract this summer and has been key to the club’s strong start to the season in the WSL, with the Reds in sixth place with seven points from their first four games. 

The 22-year-old’s reputation has continued to grow at international level, too, with the midfielder being handed the captain’s armband by England Under-23s manager Emma Coates. 

Now, Kearns has her eyes set on earning her first Lionesses call-up from Sarina Wiegman and is determined to follow in the footsteps of her idol Gerrard by turning out for England’s senior side. 

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, she said: “I think growing up, it was always Steven Gerrard.

“I think just the way he used to lead and push the team through [to earn] results [was inspiring]. He was a massive believer in that and he could also decide the game on his own.

“It’s a massive thing captaining your country and I’m fortunate enough to be given the opportunity. We’ve got a good group of girls and I think it’s a good thing for me at this stage in my career to have that bit of extra responsibility and to be a character in and around the team.

“You want to make the step-up to the seniors and it’s definitely one of my aims, so I’m just going to keep working hard and focusing on what I can do to get there and just trust the process.”

Kearns has come a long way from the days