Liverpool's men's squad hosted a virtual Christmas visit with Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust this month to surprise some very special patients and their families and spread some festive cheer.

It has been a long-standing tradition for the team to visit Alder Hey Children's Hospital every December, laden with goodies, to meet with patients and staff. But due to the ongoing pandemic, an in-person visit to the hospital has not been possible for the second year running.  

However, this did not stop the Reds, with the likes of Jürgen Klopp, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson recently taking time out from their busy schedule to chat with patients and their families and sign LFC gifts for them - as you can see in the video below.

The virtual calls, which are part of LFC's Operation Christmas Magic and Alder Hey's Christmas Wishes campaigns, helped raise the spirits of the young people currently receiving treatment and experiencing or recovering from a tough time in their lives. 

"It's a shame that we are unable to visit the hospital again this year, but we still had so much fun meeting the youngsters and their families virtually," said Henderson. "This visit is something that is really important to all the lads and one that we look forward to every year. 

"On behalf of the players and the club, I'd like to extend my thanks to all the staff at the hospital for the truly remarkable work they do day in, day out and especially in the current circumstances. They really are amazing."

Alder Hey Children's Hospital, one of Europe's biggest and busiest children's hospitals, cares for more than 330,000 children, young people and their families every year. 

Alder Hey is currently fundraising for a brand new, state-of-the-art Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as part of its Christmas appeal. If you would like to donate, please go here.

More information on the club's activities as part of the Operation Christmas Magic campaign is available here.