Thursday 12 June 2014 17:23, UK
Fara Williams' unrivalled passion for the game has been key to her edging closer towards becoming England's most capped player, according to Liverpool Ladies team-mate Amanda Da Costa.
Williams has made 127 international appearances and is expected to move level with Rachel Yankey on 129 caps after England’s forthcoming World Cup qualification double-header against Belarus and Ukraine.
The 30-year-old has played 90 minutes in Mark Sampson’s first two competitive matches in charge of England and looks set to win her 128th cap against Belarus in Minsk on Saturday.
And 24-year-old Da Costa insists her Liverpool midfield partner, has taught her a lot about the game.
"She was talking about it a few weeks ago and it really will be an incredible milestone for anybody to reach," Da Costa told Sky Sports.
"It speaks volumes about the passion that she has for the game and her integrity. She has worked so hard over all these years and been really consistent so it just speaks volumes about her as a person and a player.
"Fara is great to play with and she’s obviously the leading veteran on our team. Playing in the midfield with her I have definitely learned a lot.
"She’s just so clean with everything she does and the vision she has on the pitch is amazing."
Da Costa and Williams both joined Liverpool in 2012 and helped the club go from the FAWSL's bottom side to league champions in the space of one season.
The New-Yorker says former Everton midfielder Williams commands the trust and respect of her team-mates and has fed her own desire to improve as a player.
"She’s definitely a solid anchor in the midfield for us looking to get on the ball constantly,” Da Costa said.
“It’s taught me a lot and it’s definitely helped me become a better player. Any time you’re playing alongside somebody who is pushing your game it makes you want to be better especially when you are as competitive as I am.
“Having her playing so well next to me just makes me want to perform even better, so it’s been good.
“When you’ve played as much as Fara has you never want to lose and I think that she acts as a leader for all of us on and off the pitch in everything that we do.
“Pretty much whatever Fara says we are behind her 110%. We believe in her and trust in her mentality and everything that she has been through.”
