Liefting: 'We're ready to bounce back' | OneFootball

Liefting hadn't played a competitive match in seven months before her debut for United, and although the goalkeeper has yet to taste victory as a United player, she has settled in quickly on Tyneside.

Indeed, the Netherlands youth international - who, along with her team-mates, is preparing for a trip to Crystal Palace Women on Sunday - is already calling the North East home.

"I'm feeling good and really happy to be a part of this amazing team," Liefting said. "Everyone has been very welcoming and made it easy for me to settle in, and I already feel very at home.

"My first three games haven't been great as we've lost them all, which is frustrating, but I know the quality we have in the group, and I know we're ready to bounce back."

The 20-year-old was handed her Magpies debut away to Birmingham City Women last month, a game in which the Lasses lost 4-2, and Liefting admits she was disappointed with her individual performance.

Liefting suffered a foot injury earlier this year, shortly after joining her parent club, Chelsea Women, so it's been a quick turnaround for the shot-stopper, but one she's been relishing.

"I wasn't happy with how I played in my first match for the club, but also, it was my first game in seven months," she added.

"The more minutes I get in the tank, the more confident I'll become, and the more I play with the team, the better I'll feel on the pitch.

"In the first few days and weeks, it took a little bit of adjusting to get used to the defence and recognise everyone's strengths and create a good understanding. But now, I know exactly what people are good at, and that's only going to help us moving forward."

Any supporters who have seen Liefting play in her three outings as a Newcastle player will recognise her eagerness to be on the ball and play out from the back, such is the demand on a modern-day goalkeeper.

However, United's number 26 has never seen this as a burden; instead, she has thrived in the ability to have the ball at her feet, which is no surprise given her journey in football, and will likely be on show this weekend at the VBS Community Stadium.

"I started playing football when I was seven, but I was an outfielder and would play in any position, but striker was my favourite," she explained.

"As I got older, I would play one half in goal and the other as a striker, so I think that's why I love having the ball at my feet and playing out from the back, as it's what I've grown up with.

"We're going down there (to face Crystal Palace Women) to try and win the game. Everything in training this week has been very focused on putting in a good performance on the pitch and winning the match."