Exclusive photos of our new away kit !

Supporters got their first glimpse of our new away kit today - but it was way back in February that Rafa's stars enjoyed their sneak preview at a top secret photoshoot.

In a massive warehouse near Liverpool's industrial docks and Fernando Torres is being asked to tuck his shirt in. Ten yards away, behind a huge black curtain, a female assistant is pulling Dirk Kuyt's socks up.

Watching superstar footballers being ordered around like this is a touch surreal - especially as gaffer Rafa Benitez is nowhere to be seen. Not that they're complaining, for it's here at Liverpool Film Studios that Torres and co get their first viewing of the away kit they'll wear throughout 2009-10. Designers at adidas have come up with a slick dark grey number with gold trim and a subtle Liver bird effect in the background.

"It definitely looks the part," says Jamie Carragher, one of six players present today. As well as Carragher, Torres and Kuyt, skipper Steven Gerrard, goalkeeper Pepe Reina and pass master Xabi Alonso are present.

Why have these six been chosen to front the campaign? Simple: they sell the most shirts.

The advertising strategy this year centres around our 12th man, meaning Anfield's finest have to pose in the new kit with a fan. His name is Matthew Satrine. The Kopite makes his living as an actor (he used to be in Scouse soap opera Brookside) and got the gig after singing You'll Never Walk Alone at the audition.

Today's wage is earned posing with his idols and having his belly playfully rubbed by an in-form Stevie G. "I'm having a really good day," says Michael. "It's great to meet the lads and as a fan myself it's nice to see they are dead down to earth."

As well as having their photographs taken with the 12th man, Gerrard and his colleagues are snapped simulating goal celebrations. The role fits Reina like one of his gigantic goalkeeping gloves, and it's suggested without irony that the Spaniard could make it in Hollywood when his playing days are over.

Some managers, like Jose Mourinho, ask adidas to keep their goalkeeper jersey low-key, but next season Reina will wear a bright yellow outfit which will make him stand out in a crowded penalty area.

"Wow," shouts Gerrard, as Reina makes his way to the camera. So what does our skipper make of the new kit?
"I'm really pleased. It's a nice colour and it's comfortable," says the man with No.8 on his back. "I suppose getting my first kit was where it began for me as a Liverpool supporter. Having an older brother, I always used to pinch his. Then I was fortunate enough that my parents bought me my own."

Also on the itinerary today is a series of promotional interviews with radio and LFC TV, during which the players are asked about their relationship with the 12th man. It's here that Alonso reveals his favourite Kop song is The Fields of Anfield Road. He'll even recite the words if you ask nicely. Meanwhile, the funniest thing Kuyt has heard from the terraces is a song about a rival manager's rather large cranium.

For Gerrard, the fact Liverpool's 12th man is being celebrated makes the campaign a winner. "Fans make football," explains the Huyton-born star, who still remembers the Kop singing his name for the first time after opening his goalscoring account against Sheffield Wednesday back in December 1999. "It was a real buzz. So yes, it's right to stick this 12th man tag on the campaign - it's a celebration of the fans."

Torres also approves, though he has a slight quibble over the campaign name. "It's not just a 12th man at Liverpool," argues our record signing. "We have more than one extra man - we have many because they push us, they help the team every minute. "I am sure we win a lot of points simply because of the fans."

The bond between Torres and Anfield was cemented with the creation of his own song, to which thousands of Kopites bounce in unison. "Of course I can," replies the Spain international when asked if he sees and hears their tribute while busy scoring goals. "I enjoy it more than they do!" Next season's communal bounce will look slightly different, particularly on the road, thanks to the new kit on parade today. What the fans might not realise when they don it over the coming months is the amount of time it spent on the drawing board.

It takes a total of 19 months to get from the idea stage to the shirt being worn in a competitive match, during which designs are passed between adidas UK, head office in Germany and the club.

So, has it been worth it? According to Carragher, the answer won't be clear for another year. "Everyone remembers kits by the trophies you win in them," says the club's vice-captain. "Hopefully we can win a few in this."