Three of the Academy's most promising young stars put a smile on the face of Liverpool's Ability Counts' teams as they paid a special visit to take part in a coaching session.

Nathan Eccleston, Emmanuel Mendy and Jamie Stephens took part in a weekly session at the North Liverpool Academy in Anfield before signing autographs and posing for pictures.

The Ability Counts' teams form the competitive aspect of the club's Respect 4 All work. The teams are made up of players with different disabilities who want to compete and are of a higher ability level than the Respect 4 All Centre participants.

The players are coached every week by dedicated coaches and play once a month in competitive league tournaments with an emphasis on developing the individual needs of the players.

Everyone braved the conditions on a bitterly cold night and Ability Coach John Shaw spoke of the dedication of all the players involved.

Shaw said: "The enthusiasm comes through each and everyone of them; hail rain or snow they are always here.

"It matters so much for these lads. They're all amazed that someone from the club has come to have a kick about with them, it's fantastic.

"It is a family club, and we all want to keep those values, and for the players to come here it means a lot to us."

Eccleston echoed those sentiments and believes that such projects can also be beneficial to the professionals.

"It's important to show our support from community events and be good ambassadors for the football club," said Eccleston.

"These projects are beneficial to everyone. Football is a sport not just for professionals, everyone enjoys it. There was some good little players here; a lot of goalscorers and I really enjoyed it."

Here are some great pictures from the event