Footballers + babies and children = 1000s of broody ontdfb members
Liverpool players and staff took time out of their preparations for the hectic Festive fixture schedule to spread some Christmas cheer around the wards of Alder Hey children's hospital today.
The Reds donned their Santa hats to make their annual visit to the local hospital and spend time with children who are likely to remain on the wards throughout the Christmas period and beyond.
After being spilt into groups, the entire first-team squad and management staff set off around the various wards of the hospital to ensure as many kids as possible got the chance to meet their heroes.
And as well as chatting, posing for photographs and signing autographs for excited patients and their delighted family members, the squad also took the opportunity to play Father Christmas for the afternoon as they delivered a wide range of LFC presents to the children.
Skipper Steven Gerrard added: "It's a difficult time, so the least we can do is come and give up a couple of hours of our time, bring the children some presents and try to lift their spirits for Christmas.
"There are a lot of Liverpool fans in hospital, which is not nice to see, but if we can put a smile on their face and try to cheer them up a bit then we've done our job."
It was certainly a poignant afternoon for the Liverpool stars - and the mood of the squad was summed up by Lucas Leiva.The Brazilian wrote on social networking site Twitter: "You leave the hospital and realise how good your life is. I could see a lot of children fighting to be alive."
There's more watermarked pics on getty, including gems like this:
Gotta love Lucas.
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