Jai Arrow visits Anfield in emotional return to Liverpool

Former NRL player Jai Arrow described his "awe" after an emotional visit to Anfield on Sunday, where he attended Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal as a special guest.

Arrow, a former Australian rugby league player, announced his immediate retirement in May this year at the age of 30 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). Tributes and support poured in for him and his young family, wife Berina and daughter Ayla.

Arrow had reached 98 appearances for NRL club South Sydney Rabbitohs, and the league arranged for him to play two more matches to bring up a century. His coach, Wayne Bennett, proposed using Gerry and the Pacemakers' "You'll Never Walk Alone" to accompany Arrow's walk out onto the pitch for those fixtures.

The scenes were broadcast around the world and have created a lasting connection between Arrow, the song and Liverpool FC. "I had no idea. Wayne came up with the idea," he explained. "I said, 'No, I'm alright mate.' He said, 'Well, you're doing it.' I went, 'No worries! Alright!'"

"That song holds a very special place in my heart."

MND is a serious, life-shortening illness that can affect mobility and speech. The disease worsens over time, and there is currently no cure.

Speaking together pitchside at Anfield ahead of Sunday's game, Berina said: "'You'll Never Walk Alone' for us has been such a reflection on our community, not just in Australia but here now in Liverpool, of how everyone has wrapped their arms around us and made us feel like we are not going to be walking alone.

"This is a horrible thing to be facing as a young family. We are just so grateful that we actually get to be here, first. And second, that the song can stay with us for a lifetime."

Ayla, who is one-and-a-half, has no idea about soccer yet. Berina added: "She's going to look back on this one day and be so, so grateful that a club like this was so amazing to us as a family."

Arrow is currently in Europe undergoing treatment, which made the trip to Merseyside possible. "I genuinely can't believe I'm here. I am in awe," he said.

"I can't believe the amount of support that we've received. There has been not only Liverpool fans but a lot from people in the United Kingdom. The support has been amazing and I'm forever in debt for that. It's true when they say You'll Never Walk Alone."

More information about MND, including how to offer support, donate or volunteer, is available through the MND Association website at mndassociation.org.