The midfielder featured for the opening 45 minutes of the Reds’ pre-season friendly versus Leicester City at the AXA Melwood Training Centre.
It was Höbinger’s first match action for 10 months, having been sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered early into 2025-26.
Fittingly, she was on the scoresheet to mark her comeback too, guiding a low strike home as Gareth Taylor’s side won 2-0.
“It was amazing, so happy to be back with my friends,” Höbinger told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“It feels really good to play again but also be around the team again and feel like a normal football player. It was really fun, and also good to get some minutes.
“As soon as I was in the game, it just felt really normal. I tried to stay as focused as possible and get back into my routines and the football I play.
“To score was really nice. I only realised after, when everyone came to hug me and everyone was so happy. I’m so happy to have such a good group around me.”
Höbinger’s goal came after Jenna Clark’s headed effort had broken the deadlock in Liverpool’s second warm-up game of the summer.
Moving onto a pass across the area from Vivien Endemann, the No.14 placed an angled shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
As the ball hit the net, players and staff were joined in jubilation for Höbinger’s moment.
“Honestly, that was probably the nicest part for me,” she said of that response. “I’ve had so many hugs. That’s the best part about it.
“My teammates are my friends and the team have really carried me through the rehab as well. They were there on my hard days and they’ve allowed me to struggle as well in this environment. I also think that’s special.
“Also the way they have celebrated the positive moments is so amazing. Even the small steps; jumping, running, being back on the pitch, they were always there to celebrate those wins with me. That felt so special throughout the rehab and also coming back out today.
“I felt so valued and appreciated by the group. Super-special for me and something I’m very grateful for.”
The start of the new Barclays Women’s Super League campaign is now three weeks away, with the Reds travelling to Charlton Athletic on September 6.
A host of new signings have been added to Taylor’s squad during 2026 and Höbinger is encouraged about the group’s potential heading into the season.
She added: “It’s a very new team for me as well, a lot has changed in the season I have missed. I think we look like a very strong team.
“We have different strengths. We have a good bench, a bigger squad than we had last year. Pre-season has been very positive until now.
“We have a few more weeks to go and [we are] so excited to start the season.”
