Steven Caulker visits Liverpool school to help next generation
Wednesday 24 February 2016 14:02, UK
Liverpool defender Steven Caulker has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit a local school ahead of the League Cup final.
The excitement among pupils at Anfield Road Primary School was palpable as the prelude to their Physical Education class was the chance to touch one of the record eight League Cups Liverpool have won.
Anfield Road Primary is just one of the schools to benefit from the LFC Foundation's Premier League School Sports Programme.
Live Capital One Cup Final
The LFC Foundation delivers curriculum PE lessons to different year groups throughout the school to help keep pupils fit and healthy whilst supporting a well rounded education.
As an added bonus, Caulker took the opportunity to lend his support to the foundation's work.
"It's great to give back and if you look at all the smiles on their faces it's definitely worthwhile," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Not only that it helps build their confidence, it could help them in a future career as a professional athlete. There's a lot of young kids excited and inspired by the cup final ahead."
Not shy about getting involved, Caulker took part in a reaction game where the winner was the first to snatch a ball off the top of a cone. Going out in the early rounds, he was an onlooker when it came to the final two. An experience he'll be forced to repeat on Sunday as he's cup tied.
"The build up has been different, but nonetheless, there's still great excitement around the city and I'm sure there will be in the changing room in the build up to the game," he added. "So, it is great to be a part of, I mean, just to see those scenes in the semi-final at Anfield was breathtaking."
Caulker is in the strange position of having had his own run in the competition ended by his current club. He was part of the Southampton side thrashed 6-1 by Liverpool in their quarter-final at St Mary's on December 2.
"I'm well aware of how good the team can be," Caulker stated emphatically having felt the full force of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and, in particular, Daniel Sturridge who scored two that night, but, who has only played four times since.
"I'm sure there are more exciting things to come from him [Sturridge] between now and the end of the season.
"He scored against Villa, he's looking sharp, he's looking strong, he's always working hard. I've known him for a long time from previous England camps and he's always got his head down working hard and it's no different to how he is now battling away. Hopefully it's time for a little bit of luck on his side and he can stay injury free.
"His goal ratio is fantastic. I was also on the receiving end of his partnership with [Luis] Suarez. Everyone spoke of how good Suarez was, which there's no doubt, but Sturridge played a big part in that and he's finding form again now."
As for his own goals, Caulker is hoping to figure as much as possible between now and the end of the season, preferably at centre-half. Beyond that and the end of his loan spell from Queens Park Rangers, he will see what plays out in the summer. There is a hint, though, that he'd like to work with Klopp for as long as possible.
"He's been fantastic with all the boys and we are all wishing for him to do really well," Caulker said.
"He's exactly as you see him on the telly, he doesn't change one bit. He's great to work with and great to have around the place.
"You know where you stand with him. You want to work for him. You enjoy him being the manager."
