Former Liverpool star David James incurred the wrath of the Anfield crowd after saving two penalties from an 11-year-old boy during a half-time competition.

The Reds as they looked to maintain their position at the top of the table. As at many grounds across the top flight and the EFL, host a competition at the break for their fans.

The competition is run by Standard Chartered's community engagement programme 'Futuremakers'. James was in goal for Sunday's competition, having spent seven years with Liverpool in the 1990s.

The Englishman , which was the highlight of a storied career. He now works as a pundit and coach, as well as returning to his former clubs for guest appearances.

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One of those appearances came between the sticks at the Kop end on Sunday. Facing him was an 11-year-old boy, with James saving both of his attempts at a spot-kick to leave him 'absolutely gutted'.

The Liverpool fans watching on loudly booed James but showed little remorse for leaving the youngster crestfallen. The former England international posted a video of himself making his second save.

He captioned the video: "So, half-time standard Chartered penalty shootout at @LFC, the young lad has a chance to retake his penalty. Today's signed match shirts and last week's @LiverpoolFCW signed match shirts are live to bid for."

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should David James have let the boy score? .

To rub salt into the boy's wounds, footage elsewhere shows James conceding a limp effort from an adult male fan. While James was unrepentant, many blasted the former Reds star for taking the competition too seriously.

One fans said: "What a bell***, whether you meant to save it or not. As an ex-pro keeper you should’ve made sure you didn’t save that 2nd pen and allowed that young lad to score a penalty in front of the Kop. Would’ve been a fantastic memory for him."

Another fumed: "Honestly, this says so much about you. None of it good." Another added: "Sometimes in life you gotta learn the hard way, but yeah this was messed up."

James saved 13 penalties during his Premier League career, a record which is yet to be surpassed. While the youngster would have been gutted to have his big moment, he will likely have left Anfield with his spirits partly lifted.

Liverpool would claim all three points against , with and Curtis Jones scoring to keep Arne Slot's side top of the Premier League, ahead of .

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