Over 300 young footballers took part in the tournament with around 1,000 spectators filling the seats of the famous stadium to see Corpus Christi Primary School, representing Fulham FC, and Stratford-upon-Avon High School, representing Aston Villa FC, crowned the Premier League Schools Tournament Champions 2013, for the U13 and U11 age groups respectively.

Liverpool FC stars, Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson, were both on hand to present the trophy and winning medals to the two champions.

Lucas Leiva said: “Today has been fantastic. It is great to see the kids enjoying themselves and getting a unique opportunity to play at Anfield.

“As a kid I dreamt about playing at a stadium like this, and I’m sure this is an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

The Premier League Schools Tournament is all about increasing participation in football for boys and girls, and offers schools nationwide the chance to team up with their local Premier League club. Each of the 20 Premier League clubs staged their own regional competition to select a school to represent them in the finals at Anfield.

 Simon Morgan, Premier League’s Head of Community, said: “It’s very important for our clubs to be engaged with schools, but the key to today is the competitive element.

“Over 9,000 schoolchildren across the country have been given the opportunity to play competitive football through the Schools Tournament this year, which will help them develop not only their football skills but team work, dedication and other life skills as well.”

Liverpool FC’s official mascot, Mighty Red, also made his debut at Anfield for the Tournament. Mighty Red provided entertainment and posed for photos before helping LFC stars Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva hand out the medals.

 Last week the Liverpool FC Foundation, the Club’s official charity, delivered football coaching sessions to schools representing Liverpool FC at the tournament.

Professional coaches from the Foundation’s Football for All programme, which encourages young people to use sport as a facilitator to inspire positive change, visited St John Bosco Art College and Plantation Primary School in Liverpool, to provide essential training tips and boost confidence ahead of the kids’ big day.

Professional coaches from the Foundation’s Football for All programme, which encourages young people to use sport as a facilitator to inspire positive change, have visited St John Bosco Art College and Plantation Primary School in Liverpool.

Children from both schools will be representing Liverpool FC in the Premier League Schools Tournament on 9 May and took part in a training session provided by the Foundation coaches.

The tournament, which is being held at Anfield for the first time, provides hundreds of youngsters from across the country the chance to experience the thrill of being treated like a Premier League footballer. Each Premier League Club will be represented by two schools in their community, all playing for the coveted Premier League Schools Trophy.

Foundation coaches provided essential training tips and boosted confidence ahead of the kids’ big day. Liverpool FC’s official mascot, Mighty Red, also made an appearance to provide entertainment and pose for photos, before he also makes his debut at Anfield for the Tournament.

Mark Haig, Liverpool FC Foundation’s Head of Operations, said: “Football is at the heart of what we do and our Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunities for young people inclusive of all abilities and backgrounds.

“The Premier League Schools Tournament will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for these kids in, so we are delighted to provide sessions to help them prepare as best they can.”

St John Bosco Art College Teacher, Matthew Houghton, said: “We are delighted that Liverpool FC Foundation has come to our school today. They have given the kids some essential tips and added belief ahead of their big day.

“The children have done extremely well to get to the finals and we are delighted to be representing Liverpool FC in the tournament.”

The game will be played at the Cape Town stadium on Tuesday, May 21 with kick-off set for 8.15pm local time.  Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 7^th May 2013 via www.computicket.com and prices range from R150 – R350.

Billy Hogan, Chief Commercial Officer, Liverpool FC said: “It will be fantastic for the Club to return to South Africa after almost twenty years. We know we have a large fan base in South Africa which is rapidly growing, in the last eight months the number of South African fans visiting the Club’s website has doubled.

“This visit is part of our off-season activity and shows our commitment to bringing the Club closer to our fans all over the globe, no matter how far away from Anfield they may live.”

Liverpool visited South Africa in May 1994 when they faced Aston Villa, Cape Town Spurs and Kaizer Chiefs in the United Bank International Soccer Festival.  Whilst on this visit, the travelling Liverpool party also met with South Africa president Nelson Mandela.

The Club has a huge following in the country and recently became the first team in world football to launch an official Twitter account for South African supporters, which can be followed @SouthAfricaLFC.

Fans should follow @SouthAfricaLFC for more details as they emerge.

On the back of an impressive outing against The Magpies, the Reds will be looking to build on that performance and a similar scoreline!

R0binFredriksson

Lord Justice Goldring who will be leading the inquest is on the search for a “…suitable premises” in the area. Lord Justice Goldring confirmed that the fresh inquests would not take place in Liverpool or Manchester.

The Judge said: 

 ”If there is a jury, those of us with experience of them know perfectly well that with proper and clear directions they soon put behind them anything they may have read or thought and concentrate on the evidence before them”.

He further went on to say: “The hearing is bound, it seems to me, to take several months. If it is held in London, those who wish to follow it in person will be away from home and living in hotels for a very long time.

“It is plainly not a practicable solution for someone to commute from Liverpool or the North West on a daily basis.”

My LFC Story : Harvey Uppal (England)

I support Liverpool because it’s more then a football team, it’s like a family, it’s a way of life. Once you go to a home game and hear everyone singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’; you realise that this is not just an anthem we sing, it’s a lifestyle in which every Liverpool fan is embodied in.

My earliest memory of Liverpool was the FA Cup final of 1988 when we lost to Wimbledon in the final. There were probably earlier memories of watching the Redmen on Match of the Day but the 1988 FA Cup final stands out as I remember the whole day from start to finish, from the road to the final, players leaving the hotel and walking on to the Wembley turf . I remember waking up in the morning of the final wanting to watch and record the whole day on 2 VHS cassettes, ended up taping over it due to the result.

My favourite Liverpool player is Steven Gerrard because I’ve seen him carry the team through some of the biggest matches in Liverpool’s history and through a time where Liverpool had fairly average players, but always came out on top against Europe’s elite.

My favourite player used to John Barnes just because of what this guy could do with the ball and his sheer skill; but after seeing Stevie G become captain of Liverpool he became a man poised to make the team great again. He proved he was a worthy captain in the 2005 Champions Leagues final and 2006 FA Cup final.

My favourite game was the 2005 Champions League final. More then a football match possibly the greatest sporting event ever witnessed by a televised audience. Call it what you want the ‘The Greatest Comeback’ or ‘The Greatest Ever European Final’, the final in Istanbul is something that will never be repeated. When I watch replays of the game and I see the team we had against the mighty AC Milan (possibly at the time the best team in Europe), I am amazed at how we came back from 3 – 0 down against them…it simply just puts a smile on my face

My most memorable Liverpool goal was Stevie G’s winning goal against Olympiakos in December 2004 (Champions League Group Stage). I remember taking 3 friends to their first Liverpool match and we managed to get 4 tickets in the Kop end. After being 1-0 down at half time, we all knew we needed 3 goals to qualify and when Stevie G hit that belter (ohhhh you beautyyy), the whole Kop moved. I remember jumping up and down with my phone, which must have landed two rows in front of me…luckily it was returned to me afterwards!

My first Anfield game was in August 2000 against Parma of Italy. It was a friendly match just before our historic treble winning season. I remember the match quite clearly as there were so many new faces on show but I remember being most impressed by young Steven Gerrard and the slightly older Gary McAllister.

The best game I have been to was the 2012 FA Cup semi final against Everton. This game was extra special for me because as a young boy I always wanted to see the Mighty Reds play at Wembley, and also because we were playing our neighbours Everton. It was a great occasion marked by 2 goals from our forwards which gave us victory and a step into the final.

 My favourite Liverpool moment was watching Stevie G lift our 5th European Cup in Istanbul after a rollercoaster game. I still have flashbacks of that moment to this day and think to myself ‘Anything in life is achievable if you believe’.

I watched the 2005 Champions League at the Pub and when Dudek saved Shevchenko’s penalty I hugged all my family and friends that were present and ran towards the big screen jumping up and down while shouting ‘We are the Champions’.

My special Liverpool experience was taking my wife to her first Liverpool game. After her constant questioning of my love for the team and the game it was great to take her there and see the smile on her face when the final whistle blew.

My LFC Story : Nav Sandhu (England)

I support Liverpool because my elder brother and uncles supported them and there influence rubbed off on me and I followed the family tradition.

My earliest memory of Liverpool was the 1989 cup final against Everton when Ian Rush scored 2 goals, remember it clearly and from there my Liverpool supporter journey began!

 My favourite Liverpool player is Steven Gerrard because he is Liverpool and is the one player whose career I remember from his very first game for LFC to the present day.

My favourite game was without question Istanbul!

My most memorable Liverpool goal  too many to mention but the two that stand out are Stan Collymore’s winner against Newcastle in the league in 95 and then Stevie G’s Olympicakos thunderbolt!

My first Anfield game was Liverpool vs Arsenal 2-2 in 2003 and Emile Heskey scored a late equaliser!

The best game I have been to is Liverpool vs West Ham 2006 FA Cup final, the Gerrard final.

 My favourite Liverpool moment was seeing Liverpool win the Champions League in 2005, without question.

Liverpool is the greatest club because ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. We are all in this together, players, staff and supporters all around the world; we will one day rise like a phoenix and take our place again were we belong.

YNWA – JFT96.

Liverpool now face Everton next week at Anfield in the Premier League.

Come on you Redmen!

The ban will cover the final four games of this season and the first six games of  the new season (2013-14).

A statement released by the FA read:

“Luis Suarez has been suspended for a total of 10 matches after an Independent Regulatory Commission today ruled on a charge of violent conduct.

“A three-person Independent Regulatory Commission today upheld The FA’s claim that a suspension of three matches was clearly insufficient and the player will serve a further seven first-team matches in addition to the standard three. The suspension begins with immediate effect.

“This follows an incident with Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in Sunday’s fixture at Anfield (21 April 2013).

“The Liverpool forward had accepted a charge of violent conduct but had denied The FA’s claim that the standard three-match sanction was insufficient for the offence.

“The incident was not seen by the match officials and has therefore been retrospectively reviewed.

“Suarez has until 12pm on Friday, 26 April to appeal the additional suspension, above the standard three matches.”

Liverpool FC Managing Director Ian Ayre, expressed disappointment and shock at the news of the ban.

In a statement issued on the clubs website, Ian Ayre said:

“Both the club and player are shocked and disappointed at the severity of today’s Independent Regulatory Commission decision.

“We await the written reasons tomorrow before making any further comment.”

The Reds will face reigning Greek Champions and European giants Olympiacos in their only pre-season match to be played at Anfield, on Saturday 3^rd August 2013 (2pm KO).

The contest is being staged to celebrate Gerrard’s glittering Liverpool career and also recognise his commitment and loyalty to his hometown club.

Money raised from events celebrating Steven’s testimonial year will be for the benefit of The Steven Gerrard Foundation (SGF), a registered charity www.stevengerrardfoundation.org. The foundation set up in February 2011, is committed to making a lasting difference to disadvantaged children and young people in need.

Liverpool’s opponents, Olympiacos, have confirmed that they too will be donating their appearance fee to local charities in Greece.

The fixture has great historical significance for both Steven and Liverpool Football Club. In 2004, in front of a packed home crowd, a stunning late goal from Steven, saw Liverpool come from behind to beat a powerful Olympiacos side 3-1 and go into the next stage of The UEFA Champions League. Steven’s goal proved to be even more critical as that same season, they went on to be crowned winners of The UEFA Champions League, beating AC Milan in an unforgettable final.

As Steven has spent the majority of his life in Liverpool, he has seen many of the issues faced by local children and therefore much of the money generated will go to a range of children’s charitable organisations and projects in and around Merseyside.

Steven Gerrard said: “I am delighted to be honoured by Liverpool FC with a testimonial match and particularly thrilled that Olympiacos have accepted my invitation to play the fixture. Last time we met proved to be such a memorable game both for me personally and Liverpool Football Club. I am also especially grateful that Olympiacos have truly embraced the aim of this match and chosen to donate their fee to charity. I am looking forward to what I know will be a fantastic game and a wonderful occasion.”

Evangelos Marinakis President of Olympiacos FC said: “It is an honour and a great pleasure to participate in Steven’s testimonial match against Liverpool, which shows yet again how the world of football can work together to build a bright future for the children and the young people of our society. As a socially conscious club, Olympiacos FC always seek to contribute with actions aimed to alleviate people in need, as much as humanly possible. Reaching those affected by the economic crisis in our home country, we will donate our share to humanitarian, non-profit driven foundations and community development programmes. We look forward to a most enjoyable and rewarding match, where everyone is a winner.”

Sportcel Marketing, a leading Sports and Event Marketing agency have been appointed by Steven Gerrard as the exclusive agency to organise the testimonial match on behalf of the Foundation. In addition, they have been charged with arranging one other testimonial event, with the objective of raising as much money as possible for SGF over the course of the year.

Rob Owen Director at Sportcel said: “Having worked with Steven on his inaugural fund raising event for The Steven Gerrard Foundation, we have seen first hand the extraordinary impact that Steven has on those around him and his ability to galvanise support for such an important cause. We are of course delighted to be chosen to help him once again, in such an important year for him and the Foundation.”

For further information regarding Steven Gerrard’s Testimonial please see below:

Testimonial Ticket Information:

For information on tickets stay tuned to www.liverpoolfc.com

The Steven Gerrard Foundation:

The Steven Gerrard Foundation (SGF) is a registered charity in England and Wales (no1140813).

For more information visit: www.stevengerrardfoundation.org

To make donations visit www.stevengerrardfoundation.org and click onto donations where you will be taken through to a secure online service using your credit or debit card.

For Media Enquiries please contact sgf@sportcel.com or Melanie Rocher on 020 8232 7189

For information on Steven’s Foundation please contact info@stevengerrardfoundation.com

In an interview with the Sunday Times, the Liverpool forward said :

 “I’ll be here next season, yes. Not only am I playing for Liverpool, I am playing in one of the best leagues in the world.”

“I am very happy here  and I want to see out my contract, though in football you never know quite what’s ahead. A club can decide they don’t want you, even though you want to stay. In football things never turn out the way you plan.”

Suarez who is the leading Premier League scorer with 22 goals has also been shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year.