Earlier this month, Anfield legend John Barnes paid a visit to Australia to officially open the Liverpool FC International Academy New South Wales.

Launching the academy's operations at Southern Cross University’s Football Centre in Lismore, Barnes’ visit marked an important stage in the development of the partnership, with the scheme opening its doors to local players for the first time.

As part of the launch, a group of local players took part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet John and take part in a training session with the Reds legend, who delivered a free clinic for 100 lucky participants and taught them to play the Liverpool Way at the Lismore venue.

Barnes said: “The Liverpool Way is about dignity, humility and togetherness and that is what we teach at the Liverpool FC International Academy. It’s about trying to bring the kids up with the right values and it’s about developing decent human beings as well as developing footballers.

“The Liverpool FC family is spread far and wide and we have a huge number of passionate fans in Australia. It was great to have the opportunity to meet a few of them and open our exciting new LFC International Academy Australia.”

Going forward, LFC International Academy NSW will offer development programmes for junior players of all ages and ability levels. Each programme will focus heavily on teaching key life skills as well as the tactical, physical, social and mental aspects of football.

Scott Collis, general manager of the New South Wales academy, said “This is a massive statement of intent from the club. John is a huge name for football fans all over the world. To have him here representing the club at our opening demonstrates how seriously Liverpool FC takes the opportunity here in Australia and the development of our academy.”

For more information on the programmes available at the Liverpool FC Academy New South Wales, please click here.