A distraught boy was lifted to safety after becoming trapped in a Liverpool FC fan crowd - and one of the first to check on him was Kop big man Virgil van Dijk.
A large crowd gathered on Hope Street in the city centre on Sunday morning around five hours before the game against Manchester United at Anfield.
Hundreds of people were said to be on the famous Liverpool road where Reds players often stay in the popular hotel before home matches.
Many fans come with autograph books, or shirts and boots, and plead with the likes of striker Mo Salah, captain Jordan Henderson and manager Jurgen Klopp to sign them.
But, last weekend, a noticeably bigger throng amassed on Hope Street, possibly as many as 400 people, onlookers claimed.
However on Saturday one little boy, believed to be around eight-years-old, was seen crying as he became stuck in the crowd.
One steward, or security guard, spotted the danger, and quickly got hold of the youngster, lifting him to safety.
And the incident was quickly spotted by Dutchman Van Dijk who went over to the upset child, put his arm round him, and asked if he was ok.
Sarah Parker, 41, saw the panic when she was there with her own young children.
The Toxteth mum-of-two told the ECHO: "It was manic.
"There were big grown men crushing this little boy.
"So he was lifted out of the crowd, over the bollards.
"People were pushing, there were two little boys next to each other, and one of them was very distressed.
"What Virgil did was lovely."
It is understood there are growing concerns about the increasing number of supporters turning up outside Hope Street Hotel before Anfield games.
Ms Parker added: "It was the public who were disrespecting the rules.
"Grown men were jumping from everywhere to get something signed.
"I've never seen it like that before.
"It wasn't safe for little ones.
"But what Virgil did was cute, proving that not all footballers are stuck-up."
Liverpool FC said it was aware of the incident, but did not wish to comment.
