Zara Kramzar, 20, joined Everton Women from Roma on loan (with an obligation to buy) and says she is targeting her first Everton goal in Saturday’s Merseyside Derby against Liverpool. A former Slovenia debut goalscorer and Serie A winner, Kramzar brings technical poise and a willingness to embrace the WSL’s physical intensity as she fights for minutes under interim coach Scott Phelan.
Zara Kramzar primed for Merseyside Derby as Everton seek momentum
Zara Kramzar has arrived at Everton with clear intent: establish herself in the Women’s Super League and ideally mark her early stint by scoring in the Merseyside Derby. The 20-year-old Slovenian, signed on loan from Roma on February 3 with an obligation to buy this summer, has pedigree — she scored on her international debut and collected domestic silverware in Italy.
Immediate impact and derby ambition
Kramzar’s public desire to open her Everton account against Liverpool is more than a headline. It signals a player confident in her ability to handle the derby’s intensity and keen to seize defining moments. She scored for Slovenia as a 16-year-old substitute against Kosovo on November 12, 2022, and believes her temperament suits big-game pressure.
Background: From Ljubljana to Roma to Goodison
Kramzar began at ZNK Ljubljana and moved to Italy in 2022, joining Roma before a loan spell with Como. With Roma she was part of squads that won cup and super cup honours — experience that, while limited in minutes, exposed her to winning environments.
Early development and mentality
Raised playing alongside boys, Kramzar credits those formative years with sharpening her competitive edge. She admits she had few female role models growing up in Slovenia and leaned on sheer participation and resilience to progress — traits useful in the cut-and-thrust of the WSL.
How she fits at Everton
Kramzar describes English football as more intense and physically demanding than Italy — a transition she welcomes. Technically comfortable and tactically versatile, she offers Everton creative options in midfield and the box‑arriving instincts that can unsettle defences.
Coach Scott Phelan’s influence
Interim head coach Scott Phelan’s arrival a day after Kramzar signed appears timely. She praises his clarity, energy and the competitive training environment he’s instigated. That push for intensity and defined tactical roles should accelerate Kramzar’s integration and increase the chances of meaningful minutes.
Community engagement and club culture
Off the pitch, Kramzar joined teammate Aurora Galli in a fan workshop with teenage season‑ticket holders, underscoring Everton Women’s commitment to community connection. Her openness to those activities suggests a player invested in the club beyond the matchday 90 minutes.
What this means for Everton — and what to watch next
Kramzar’s arrival deepens Everton’s midfield options at a crucial juncture. Expect competition for places to intensify, which could raise standards across the squad. The Merseyside Derby offers a litmus test: a strong showing would fast‑track her standing; a quieter game would not nullify her potential, given time and Phelan’s demanding framework.
Conclusion
Zara Kramzar is a calculated addition — young, accomplished at youth international level, and hungry to translate Serie A experience into WSL impact.
Everton have added a player who combines technical quality with the right temperament for big matches; how quickly she converts that promise into consistent performances will shape both her season and Everton’s midfield trajectory.
Liverpool Echo
