Rising stars from the Academy paid a visit to Woodchurch High School in Wirral yesterday to encourage youngsters to read their favourite book as part of the Premier League's Reading Stars initiative.

The strike duo were joined by Sheyi Ojo, Pedro Chirivella and Kristof Polgar who joined a group of year seven and eight pupils to read short extracts from some of their favourite books and discuss their own reading habits, and they also had a literacy inspired penalty shoot-out.

Woodchurch High School, which is a partner school of the club's charity, Liverpool FC Foundation, has been participating in the Premier League Reading Stars initiative for the past three years.

The initiative, which is a partnership between the National Literacy Trust and the Premier League, encourages more young people to read to raise their literacy levels.

Every year one player from each Premier League Club nominates their favourite adult and children's book, read short extracts and set three reading challenges for school children to complete.

This year Raheem Sterling represented LFC and set literacy challenges for the self-titled autobiography by Zlatan Ibrahimovich, 'I am Zlatan Ibrahimovich' and 'Holes' by award winning children's author, Louis Sachar.

Julie Wood, Premier League Reading Stars Co-Ordinator at Woodchurch High School, said: "The visit was absolutely fantastic and it gave our pupils a real boost.

"It's so important for young people to have positive role models to look up who value the importance of reading and the many skills it provides.

"I would like to thank the players for giving up their time to visit our school and supporting our pupils Premier League Reading Stars project work."

The trip was part of the Academy's ongoing activities within the local community.

Academy players no longer clean boots and baths of the senior team. Instead the club works hard to instil a sense of responsibility in them through community work, including monthly visits Alder Hey hospital, Claire House Hospice, local schools and homeless shelters.