Despite having just three days to prepare for Sunday’s huge Premier League clash against Manchester City, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk spent Friday morning visiting six-year-old Liverpool fan, Isaac.
Isaac has become a popular figure within the Liverpool fan community for his versions of iconic chants that are sung around Anfield. The young fan has gone viral on social media for using his toy guitar to sing Liverpool songs, as he refuses to allow his disorder to get in the way of passionately supporting the Reds.
Six years ago, Isaac was born with the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, which means he develops at a slower rate than other children his age. Van Dijk and Salah heard about Isaac’s story, and decided to surprise him on Friday morning at Northwood Primary School.
Virgil van Dijk turned up unannounced at Isaac’s school as he walked into his classroom on Friday morning.
While coming to terms with meeting his hero, Isaac then met Mohamed Salah who joined Van Dijk in the classroom.
Isaac was playing Snakes and Ladders when Van Dijk approached his desk, and soon after, Salah appeared, as the two Liverpool stars delivered the ultimate surprise. Fittingly, Isaac had his Van Dijk and Salah toys with him, as he brings them to school every day.
Isaac showed off his Liverpool toys that accompany him to school each day, a replica of both Salah and Van Dijk.
After meeting his heroes, Isaac joined Van Dijk and Salah on a tour of Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre. He met with Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, and the rest of the squad.
Liverpool then trained as normal, but Isaac was treated to one more surprise once Friday’s preparations were completed. Isaac was told he will accompany Van Dijk at Anfield on Sunday as the official mascot for Liverpool’s game versus City.