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Jürgen Klopp led a contingent of Liverpool players to fulfill an annual Christmas tradition this week. Several members of the squad, including captain Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, and Adam Lallana, made their annual visit to Alder Hey children’s hospital in West Derby to spend time with kids and hand out presents.
Forward Danny Ings was so eager to make the trip that he hobbled alongside his teammates on crutches. Not even serious injury was going to keep him from visiting these kids.
Recent academy graduate Ovie Ejaria also joined in on the merry-making.
You can see a full photo gallery from the visit at the official club website.
Have to say, I never get tired of seeing stuff like this. Yes, every club does this sort of thing around the holidays, and yes, it’s as much about PR and branding as anything else. But here’s the thing— the kids at Alder Hey don’t care. Their favorite players for their favorite team came in to say hi, and it absolutely made their day. Even the kids who aren’t really into football got to have someone they vaguely intuit as being famous come in and be nice to them and ask them how they are and maybe give them a Christmas present. That’s no small thing.