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This is the sweet moment Steven Gerrard makes the day of a young boy whose dad tragically died last year.

Robbie Fleming was just 26 years old when he was found dead at his home in Lisburn, Northern Ireland after suffering from depression.

The father-of-one was a huge Liverpool FC fan who dreamed of meeting Steven Gerrard with his now nine-year-old son Jack.

One year on from his sudden death, his mum Alison told the ECHO of her heartache and how much it would mean to their family if Robbie's hero could send a personal condolence.

She said: "Robbie and Jack were desperate to meet Steven Gerrard , but never got to meet him.

"It would give me a bit of comfort to know that he knows how much Robbie loved him."

The ECHO can now reveal that the family have received a heartwarming message and an invite to Liverpool from the former Kop idol.

Alison said: "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.

(Image: Family handout)

"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."

Alison said that she was desperately trying to hold her tears - which were both ones of happiness and sadness.

She continued: "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."

Alison then informed Jack's mum Nadine about the impending phone call.

She said: "Jack was waiting so patiently with his phone plugged in, but they’d been an issue with his phone so he wasn’t getting the calls."

(Image: Nadine Shaw)

After waiting for a few hours, Nadine told Jack that it was likely Gerrard was going to ring tomorrow and took him to McDonald's.

But as they were driving back from the fast food restaurant, his phone started ringing.

Alison said: "Jack was squealing to his mum, 'It’s Steven' so they had to pull over."

During the phone call, Gerrard asked Jack about football and school before revealing the exciting news.

He said: "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?"

Alison said: "Jack had this big speech planned but when he got the phone call he was just so excited so he was answering ‘yes’ and ‘no’ - but it was just amazing.

"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."