The Academy’s U9s’ signing day saw 26 young players pen their first deal with the club having come through a preliminary programme with head of pre-Academy recruitment and player retention Ian Barrigan and deputy Steve Gorst.
The players - plus family and friends - were welcomed to The Beautiful Game lounge by host Peter McDowall before a special message from Academy director Alex Inglethorpe as he spoke about what lay ahead for the boys and highlighted some of those players who had gone before them.
While food was served it was time to welcome Alexander-Arnold, who just 48 hours earlier had played a crucial role at Anfield in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.