Reds meet Romanian kids
There may be qualification for the last 32 of the Europa League at stake in Bucharest tonight, but the Liverpool squad were eager to take time out of their pre-match preparations to meet children from two local charities in the Romanian capital.
Young patients from the Little People of Romania organisation and the Hospice Casa Sperantei - all of whom are battling against illnesses such as cancer or have undergone treatment - met up with their heroes ahead of Wednesday evening's training session at the Steaua Stadium.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the youngsters - and the Liverpool squad were more than happy to make it an occasion to remember as they chatted with the children and their families, posed for pictures, signed autographs and handed out gifts.
Marc Jenner, Fundraising Director of Hospice Casa Sperantei, said: "We took five children with us to the event, two of whom had travelled more than four hours from Brasov to get there.
"They are all Liverpool fans, so it really was a special occasion for them to meet the players and staff.
"All of the children we care for are terminally ill, or have life-limiting illnesses such as MS, cancer or HIV.
"Meeting the players was an incredible experience for them - one they'd never expect to get - and all of the players, staff and the manager Roy Hodgson were absolutely fantastic with them.
"You can never be sure what to expect from a football team, but the Liverpool squad had time for everyone and you just had to look at the children's faces to see what it meant to them."
Shajjad Rizvi of the Little People of Romania organisation, who arranged a similar meet-and-greet with Liverpool earlier in the year when the Reds took on Unirea Urziceni in Bucharest, added: "The children and young adults we took along have just finished treatment for cancer this year.
"There was one young man, however, who used to be a professional footballer and had a bone marrow transplant four months ago which did not go according to plan.
"So straight after tonight's game, he will be back in hospital to prepare for another transplant.
"First and foremost, the children we took are all huge football fans, so for them it was flabbergasting to meet the players. They were totally gobsmacked afterwards.
"Everybody at Liverpool was so forthcoming. They made the kids feel like real stars."
Patients of the Hospice Casa Sperantei and their family members will provide 15 of the mascots for Liverpool and Steaua Bucharest at tonight's game.
this made me so so happy. i was born in/grew up in romania and seeing the players do this just made me love them even more.
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