More than 100 local schoolchildren and staff attended a special Red Neighbours event at Anfield on Monday to select the Premier League home games they will attend this season.

Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan joined club ambassador Robbie Fowler and CEO Peter Moore at the stadium to host a ‘Champions League’ style draw, with representatives from 25 local schools learning which matches they’ll watch in 2017-18.

The fun-filled event, which was held in the Main Stand, also included a Q&A with Flanagan, Fowler and Moore as well as a visit from the club’s mascot, Mighty Red.

Red Neighbours will once again be donating more than 1,000 tickets to the 25 local schools in the L4, L5 and L6 areas for the 2017-18 season. Each school will receive 11 free tickets to four Premier League home games at Anfield.

Providing free match tickets to local schools fulfils one of Red Neighbours’ four main aims – creating memorable experiences for young people. The other three areas of focus, following extensive consultation with the community about local priorities are: food poverty and education; creating a physically active community; and support for the elderly community.

Una O’Kane from St Francis de Sales Infant School, said: “We really enjoyed the event. Red Neighbours’ ticket donations have brought our school community together at games – parents, children and staff.

“We use the tickets to reward 100 per cent attendance and it really encourages our pupils to strive for the best attendance possible.”

Fowler added: “Today’s event was brilliant and it was fantastic to see all the schools getting excited about the matches they will be attending this coming season.

“It’s such a great idea to provide free tickets to schools as it enables many of our young local fans to experience a live game and soak up the unique atmosphere at Anfield.”

Last season saw the club’s community programme donate 55 tickets for each Premier League home game to local schools, with more than 1,000 pupils benefiting in total.

Follow the official Red Neighbours Twitter account, which launched on Monday – @Red_Neighbours.