Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward joined a group of local young people at a Premier League Kicks session in Croxteth on Friday.

The Wales international met with participants of the programme, which is run by the LFC Foundation, and observed activities – including a skills and drills session, and Zorb football – before answering the youngsters’ questions in a mini Q&A.

“It was great to come down to the session and meet with the participants to see how they benefit from the programme,” said Ward.

“It’s always enjoyable for the team to get out into the community and spend time with our local young people. It’s important to give something back.”

Premier League Kicks has a long history of using the power of football and the value of sports participation to help hard-to-reach youngsters in some of the most high-need areas of the UK.

By engaging young people in constructive activities – including a wide variety of sports, coaching, music and educational and personal development sessions – communities up and down the country have been transformed, with delivery areas showing impressive sports participation rates and up to 50 per cent reductions in anti-social behaviour.

Andrea Cooper, head of LFC Foundation, said: “Our Premier League Kicks programme is very successful and we deliver nine sessions five days a week in Anfield, Croxteth, Toxteth, Wavertree and Wirral, engaging with hundreds of young people.”