This was the lovely moment a former Liverpool FC caretaker - now living with Parkinson's and dementia - was treated to a surprise visit from Red legend Jamie Carragher.

Kenny Jones, 72, used to be the odd-jobs man at Melwood and Anfield, has led a colourful life, once meeting boxer Muhammad Ali, Everton icon Dixie Dean and Prime Minister Harold Wilson in the same day in 1966.

He spent 17 years with the club, witnessing the reigns of Gerard Houllier and Rafa Bentitez, but many of his memories are now sadly gone because of his illness.

But suddenly seeing Carra on Sunday, at his Woodlands Manor care home in Southport, was like a light bulb moment for Kenny, who used to give lifts to Jamie, and others, when he was a trainee.

The former Reds centre-half spent a golden 90 minutes with the dad-of-three, flicking through old photos, and having whispered conversations with Kenny, whose voice has quietened in recent years.

Kenny's daughter, Kath Aindow Jones, who arranged the special treat, revealed how Jamie was able to remember more abut her dad than he was.

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She told the ECHO: "My dad comes from Bootle, and used to know Jamie well, when he was a trainee, giving him lifts, and he suddenly sat up in recognition as soon as Jamie walked in.

"He said, 'how you doing, Kenny, lad?'.

"That was the start of the most lovely visit I could ever have hoped for.

"My dad smiled and went from a dishevelled figure to a spry and happy man.

"He's not materialistic, but is deteriorating, losing memory.

"He even said to Jamie yesterday that he wanted a brain for Christmas!

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"He also said to them as they left, 'I’ll get you free tickets for Bootle cricket club!'.

"He laughed and hugged him.

"My dad was gobsmacked and kept saying, 'I can’t believe you’re here'."

Kenny, who was given a signed Carragher's no.23 shirt, has spent most of his life as an Evertonian, but developed a soft spot for Liverpool, working at the club for almost two decades.

The grandad-of-seven retired in 2012 and has lived at the Southport home since February. He has never forgotten his Blue roots, once even dressing up as the Toffee Woman.

Kath added: "I wanted to give my dad a special Christmas.

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"I didn't think it would work out until we got a call from Jamie's dad, Phil, saying he could do it on Sunday.

"They spent the hour-and-a-half retelling stories, looking at pictures, and Jamie was such a gent, helping my dad out of his chair.

"They were talking about the old days.

"It was a special day - my dad ended up in tears, in a good way.

"I've never seen him talk so much!"

Kenny once lost all his possessions in a house fire in north Liverpool, but was so well-loved at Anfield that then-club captain Jamie Redknapp, along with Carragher and striker Michael Owen, raised £2,000 to get him new clothes.

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Houllier once gave Kenny, who was friends with Wayne Rooney's aunt Bridie, a bottle of wine which he promptly put lemonade in!

The ex-plumber used to play football for Bootle Tech and Christ Church, near the Strand, when he was a boy.

Of his meeting with boxing superstar Muhammad Ali, Kenny once said: "I remember people laughing and joking with Ali and asking ’Are you an Evertonian now, then?’

"Ali was laughing and grinning and seemed to be enjoying it all. He didn’t seem fazed. "

Back to present day, and Carragher has already posted a photo on his Instagram account, with the caption: "Saw my 'arl mate Kenny today, the best odd-jobs man we ever had at Melwood!"

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Kath, 41, added: "They were true gents and I’m forever grateful to Jamie and his dad for taking time out at Christmas to make it a special Christmas for my Dad.

"It meant the world."