Steven Gerrard pays visit to Alder Hey Hospital with gifts for children

Steven Gerrard visited Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool on Wednesday - a place that is very close to the former Liverpool captain's heart.  

The 35-year-old set up the Steven Gerrard Foundation (SGF) in February 2011 having spent the majority of his life on Merseyside and seen many of the issues faced by children in the area. 

Gerrard spent the day giving festive gifts to children, mingling with hospital staff and visiting different wards. 

Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard presents a gift to Matida during his visit to Alder Hey Hospital

Gerrard poses for a picture with young patient William Moss at the Liverpool hospital on Wednesday 

Gerrard stands in the hospital's outdoor area - a project which his foundation funded 

The 35-year-old, who left Merseyside for LA Galaxy in January holds Finlay McElroy in his arms 

Gerrard, who spent 27 years with Liverpool, poses for a selfie with Finnbar Sparey-Taylor

The hospital, which moved to a new state of the art £250million facility earlier this year, contains a brainlab neuro navigation and intra operative MRI suite designed to improve results for brain tumour surgery - which was the first of its kind in a children's hospital in Europe. 

Gerrard was named a founding partner of Alder Hey Children's Charity's after he donated £500,000 raised from his testimonial match at Anfield in 2013.

He told the Liverpool Echo at the time: 'It's a great privilege to be able to be involved with Alder Hey and their charity, the work they do is phenomenal and the new build looks set to be even more impressive, and maybe a little less daunting visually for the children.

Gerrard poses for a photo with the staff of Alder Hey Hospital staff during his visit 

'I've visited Alder Hey on many occasions, and whilst the children and their families are going through such difficult times, you can also see how much work goes into making it as comfortable as possible for them.

'The children are the inspiration and will always continue to be, even with helping in the design of the new hospital, that's what makes it so special.

'I'm honoured to have been chosen as a founding partner, and an ambassador, its a charity very close to my heart as it helps so many.'

Gerrard was named a founding partner of Alder Hey Children's Charity's in 2013 

Gerrard, who left Liverpool to join LA Galaxy in January, recently returned to Anfield to train with Jurgen Klopp's side to keep fit during the MLS off-season. 

Klopp and his squad also made a visit to the hospital last week. Striker Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and captain Jordan Henderson were among the players present at the visit. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (second right) and his players made a visit to Alder Hey Children's Hospital