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A young Liverpool fan in the home end at Middlesbrough on Wednesday night was rewarded for a gutsy show of support with James Milner 's shirt after the game.

Eight-year-old Luke Kesterton braved the reaction of disgruntled Boro fans by repeatedly cheering on Milner as the Reds left-back played his part in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Aitor Karanka's side.

And the youngster saw his bold display rewarded with a unique souvenir that was hand-delivered by the Reds' vice-captain himself after the game.

"We're from the north east, but we're big Liverpool fans, and we try to go to as many as we can and sometimes, we're sat in the home end at away games," Luke's dad, James told the Echo.

"So Milner was up and down the left flank all game and my son kept shouting [encouragement] at him and I'm proud of him for it, but sometimes you need to keep your head down. But the Boro fans were fine with us.

"After awhile, Milner stuck his up thumb up to us and then he spotted us from about 30 yards away at the end of the game and came over with his top and said: 'that's for you son'".

"It was a truly amazing experience and gesture from James Milner who has made my son's Christmas Day come early. We will never forget that."

James also explained that he will try and contact Liverpool directly to relay his message of gratitude to Milner, due to the vice captain's lack of social media presence.

"It's a once in a lifetime thing and a fantastic gesture from Milner," he added. "I can't speak highly enough of him. The support from the Liverpool fans on the night was fantastic.

"Luke has taken the shirt into school today and he's so happy with it. Honestly, I can't speak highly enough of Milner for it. I'm going to contact Liverpool and try and say thank you to him for the gesture."

Elsewhere at the Riverside, another Liverpool fan was given a matchday gift when Reds captain Jordan Henderson handed his No.14 shirt to a youngster called Alfie.

The incidents follow a trend of Reds stars donating their shirts to their adoring public this season, with Dejan Lovren and Daniel Sturridge having previously given theirs away.

Back in October, Sturridge made two young fans' evening after he stopped to pose for pictures and sign shirts after the 2-1 win over Tottenham in the EFL Cup.

And Lovren also rewarded a six-year-old fan with his shirt after the goalless draw away at Southampton last month.