Academy Bring Easter Joy

Rodolfo Borrell led the reserve team squad on a visit to Alder Hey Hospital on Thursday with a special delivery of Easter eggs for the children.

The Academy made their first ever visit to Alder Hey at Christmas and they were delighted to bring the squad back to cheer up the children.

The likes of Conor Coady and Raheem Sterling joined new boy Joao Carlos Teixiera as they brightened up the children's day by presenting them with chocolate eggs in time for Easter Sunday.

Coady told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's a great experience for all of us to come down and see the kids and give them some Easter eggs.

"It's also good for the boys to come down here and see how lucky they are to be playing for Liverpool Football Club.

"We are very proud to come to Alder Hey and we hope all the kids get well soon and we wish them all the best."

Borrell added: "It's important to bring the lads to Alder Hey and visit the children. To have good health is one of the most important things and to see the children with big smiles on their faces was fantastic.

"The lads need to be grateful and understand that to be part of a massive club like Liverpool, it's not just about performing on the pitch, it's about their behaviour and responsibility off it. People look for them to set an example."

Phil Roscoe, head of education and welfare at the Academy, said: "At Christmas we decided we would replicate what the first team do and bring presents to the kids at Alder Hey, and Frank McParland wanted to make it more of a regular thing for the squad to get involved in.

"It was great that we could come back and bring Easter eggs for the children.

"The lads are so focused on trying to become professional footballers that sometimes they can be detached from what the real world is and live in a bit of a bubble. When they come to Alder Hey it's a bit of a reality check and it makes them realize how lucky they are."

Christine Done, head of fundraising at Alder Hey, said: "It was a fantastic visit and it was really nice for Liverpool to come to Alder Hey for Easter.

"We have a lot of children who will be in hospital over Easter. Some will get the chance to go home but some are too unwell, so to have the team come in to the hospital, it cheered them up.

"The players were a real credit to Liverpool FC and they deserve a lot of credit."