Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Liverpool FC fan with autism who has "no friends" had the best birthday ever thanks to kind-hearted staff from the club who made sure he didn't spend his big day alone.

Oliver Viedge, 12, moved to Liverpool from South Africa last year - but despite being a "chatterbox" who loves people, he hasn't made any friends in the city.

Mum Hayley emailed Liverpool FC telling them her son is a massive Reds fan and asking if they could send him a special birthday message.

Staff at the club decided to go one better - and made Oliver feel like "part of the family" with a full tour of the stadium and a surprise birthday lunch.

Oliver celebrated his 12th birthday at Anfield on Thursday, where Hayley said the staff went above and beyond to make him feel "special and loved".

Only-child Oliver lives with his mum in Allerton, and Hayley said her son "never gets invited to any parties and has no friends."

She said: "We have recently relocated to Liverpool and are still trying to make friends. Oliver is a chatter box and loves people but somehow does not seem to seek friendship or pursue it due to his autism. This is heartbreaking for any parent."

Despite not having any friends to spent his birthday with, Oliver still had an incredible day thanks to staff at Liverpool FC.

Speaking to the ECHO, Hayley said: "We are blown away by the response we received from the club. I emailed them asking for a birthday message to be sent to Oliver - and that in itself would have made him feel so special and important."

Oliver was greeted by staff member Laura Riedtyk-Johnson, who had souvenirs and a birthday card from Liverpool FC.

Hayley said: "We were so appreciative of this kind gesture and totally surprised as it was totally unexpected. Laura was amazing and Oliver took an instant shine to her.

"The queues were very long and out the doors but she focused on Oliver like he was the only person in the room and made him feel so important and special and made time for him.

"Laura deserves a special mention as she truly has a gift for dealing with special needs and deserves a big thank you."

Oliver also had a birthday meal complete with a chocolate cake and staff singing happy birthday to him.

Hayley said: "The tour was amazing. We loved every minute of it and it is a day we will never ever forget in our lifetime. Oliver said that it was his best birthday ever."

Sharing her thanks to all the club staff who made her son's day so special, Hayley said: "Oliver did not walk alone on his 12th birthday. Thank you LFC. We love you."