The visit, which featured on BBC Match of the Day on Sunday February 1, saw Joe head to the school to find out more about the programme and join in one of the regular sessions which are delivered in 27 secondary schools across Liverpool and North Wales by the club’s official charity.

The defender took part in teamwork activities, spoke to the students about their progress and learnt more about the vital work of the LFC Foundation in our communities.

On the visit, Joe said: “I’m really grateful to the kids for getting me involved and being so nice to me, it’s an amazing school and I’m honoured to have been able to come down today and see some of the amazing work the LFC Foundation are doing in our community.”

Onside, which is part-funded by the Premier League and The PFA, has been running since 2019 and is a youth intervention programme designed to raise the aspirations of young people and encourage them to become more active role models inside and outside of education.

Gemma Smith, head of programmes at LFC Foundation said: “It was fantastic to have Joe with us to showcase the impact this programme is having on young people across the Liverpool City Region and north Wales. We use the power of the badge to engage with people of all ages across our communities but to have one of the players here and involved in the session always makes it even more special.”

Anna Dobson, head teacher at Kirkby High School, added: “The LFC Foundation, through the Onside programme, come on site and work with small groups of children and we really see the impact of the work they do through the attendance, the engagement and the outcomes of the students who participate in the programme.”

You can find out more about the Onside programme by clicking here.