Liverpool's first-team squad took time out of their festive preparations to bring some Christmas cheer to the patients at Alder Hey Children's Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
As ever, the players, along with boss Rafa Benitez and assistant Sammy Lee, were eager to make their annual visit to the local hospital.
And their arrival was certainly cause for delight on the wards as the Reds donned their Santa hats to hand out presents to kids, who are sadly facing up to the prospect of spending Christmas in hospital.
After being split up into groups, the players and staff made their way around the wards, delivering presents, posing for photographs, signing autographs and chatting to the children and their families.
While it may have been a day of excitement for the kids, it was one a poignant one for the players and staff.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We visited the children and the families and tried to give them some encouragement.
"I think it's important at this time of year, not just for the children but also for the families. It gives them a chance to meet some of their idols and is good for them.
"The players know how much this means to the children. To see their idols when they are in a bad moment gives them a lift, and that is very positive.
"There are some who are Evertonians, but it doesn't matter at the end of the day and they are still really happy and pleased to see us.
"It is really good for us to make this visit."
Goalkeeper Pepe Reina added: "It makes you realise how lucky you are and it's nice to make people happy. It means a lot to us.
"Sometimes we don't know what we have, and there are some people who are much worse off than us.
"It's always good to see a much needed smile on the children's faces, and also the families'. It's the minimum we can do."
Our photographer was with the players to snap the Liverpool stars bringing Christmas cheer to the hospital wards.
And their arrival was certainly cause for delight on the wards as the Reds donned their Santa hats to hand out presents to kids, who are sadly facing up to the prospect of spending Christmas in hospital.
After being split up into groups, the players and staff made their way around the wards, delivering presents, posing for photographs, signing autographs and chatting to the children and their families.
While it may have been a day of excitement for the kids, it was one a poignant one for the players and staff.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We visited the children and the families and tried to give them some encouragement.
"I think it's important at this time of year, not just for the children but also for the families. It gives them a chance to meet some of their idols and is good for them.
"The players know how much this means to the children. To see their idols when they are in a bad moment gives them a lift, and that is very positive.
"There are some who are Evertonians, but it doesn't matter at the end of the day and they are still really happy and pleased to see us.
"It is really good for us to make this visit."
Goalkeeper Pepe Reina added: "It makes you realise how lucky you are and it's nice to make people happy. It means a lot to us.
"Sometimes we don't know what we have, and there are some people who are much worse off than us.
"It's always good to see a much needed smile on the children's faces, and also the families'. It's the minimum we can do."
Our photographer was with the players to snap the Liverpool stars bringing Christmas cheer to the hospital wards.
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