Steven Gerrard lived up to his reputation as a Liverpool hero after he made a surprise call to a heartbroken boy.
Reds supporter Robbie Fleming dreamed of meeting Gerrard with nine-year-old son Jack, but he passed away in 2018 at his home in Northern Ireland after battling depression.
But Jack's grandma, Alison, couldn't hold back her excitement when the Rangers boss contacted them following the death of the 26-year-old.
She told the Liverpool Echo: "I was shaking and crying, my son's photo was right in front of me when I answered the phone and he said, 'Hello, it's Steven Gerrard here.'
"He gave his condolences to myself, my husband Vernon and Robbie's two brother Jamie and Jordan.
"He also asked how we were and expressed how sorry he was at not being able to meet Robbie.
"I started to cry and he said, 'please don't cry, you'll start me off.'
"He was saying how the Echo's story got to him and how taken aback he was."
According to Alison, the ex-England international extended an invitation to meet them and pushed ahead with a Facetime chat with Jack.
"Steven then told us that he would like to meet all the family and his personal assistant would get in touch but that whilst we decided on a date to go over to Liverpool he would like to Facetime Jack," she explained.
Jack's mum, Nadine, was told that Gerrard could call them soon after and her son had "his phone plugged in" waiting to speak to him.
But the youngster was experiencing issues with his phone and wasn't "getting the calls."
Nadine told her son that he would call the following day and Gerrard, 39, lived up to his word.
But unbeknownst to the Gers boss was that he rang them while they were driving home from McDonald's.
Gerrard told Jack: "Listen, I spoke to someone today and they told me that they're going to bring you over to Liverpool to meet me in person.
"I'll come to Liverpool and meet you and say hello and we'll get some pictures together, is that okay?"
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According to Alison, Jack struggled to use the "big speech [he had] planned" as he was stunned that Gerrard was speaking to him.
"He was just so excited so he was answering 'yes' and 'no' -- but it was just amazing," she said.
"Jack is so excited and has a big smile on his face.
"Steven made such a sad boy so happy -- he's phoned family and friends he wants to go to Liverpool now.
"The phone call was very emotional, there were happy and sad tears as I know what my son would have wanted to meet him.
"But I'm pleased that I've made Robbie known to Steven and he now knows what he thought of him.
"To be able to go over and meet him is an honour.
"I know my son will smiling down and be so proud that Jack and his two brothers are going to meet Steven."
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