Jon Flanagan was the guest of honour as Liverpool FC's half-term soccer school kicked off in style at the Academy on Monday afternoon.
The full-back joined star-struck youngsters for a fun-packed session as he became the first player to officially make an appearance at one of the events.
The 18-year-old hot-footed it to Kirkby from a pre-Stoke City training session at Melwood and was keen to tell Liverpoolfc.tv just why he felt privileged to have been invited along.
Flanagan said: "It's a great feeling to be back here where it all started for me. These soccer schools are a fantastic way for young kids to develop their skills as a footballer.
"I'd have loved to have come along to one of these when I was a little lad. This is the only soccer school that is based at a football club's Academy and the facilities here are exceptional.
"I just hope they all enjoy it and go away from the course having learned something."
Flanagan's appearance capped a great start to a three-day course that caters for children aged from five-14 years.
Head coach for Liverpool's international football academy soccer schools, Adam Flynn was delighted to welcome the England U21 star and claimed it would be a day the youngsters would always remember.
"Jon is the first first-team player to make an official appearance at our soccer school," he said. "It was fantastic that he put aside the time to come down and impart some words of wisdom to the young kids.
"I think he has been here since the age of eight so it's nice that he is coming back to the place where it all began for him and is helping to make it a special day for these aspiring youngsters.
"He's a fantastic role model for them and embodies what our message is all about; to enjoy playing football and to give it your all. If we can pass on the Liverpool way to these kids then we are doing our job right."
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