Hillsborough memorial service in pictures
- Published
Thousands have gathered at Liverpool's home ground to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, when 96 Liverpool fans were killed after a crush during their side's FA Cup semi-final match against Nottingham Forest. Scarves from every professional club in England were laid on the pitch to create the number 96.
This year's memorial service comes amid a new inquest looking at how the 96 died. The inquest was adjourned to allow families to attend the memorial.
Liverpool players - including captain Stephen Gerrard, Daniel Agger and Luis Suarez - all attended the memorial.
The brother of 17-year-old victim Keith McGrath held a picture of him during the service. A number of people - including justice campaigners and figures from the football world - spoke at the event.
A sculpture showing the names of the victims lit up as each was read out during the service.
Roberto Martinez, manager of Liverpool's rivals Everton, spoke of his own memories of the disaster. He told Liverpool fans his club stood with them.
Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, paid tribute to the families of the victims. He said: "You've all stood for 25 years together… the love for the people you lost inspires me every day as manager of Liverpool football club."
Andy Burnham was heckled when he appeared at the 20th anniversary memorial service at Anfield five years ago, when he was Labour’s sports minister. It led him to call for a new inquiry into the tragedy and this time he received a standing ovation from fans.
Rodgers spoke about walking past the Hillsborough memorial outside Anfield and the inspiration it gave him. Flowers covered the memorial ahead of the service.
Fans sang Liverpool anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' at the end of the service, led by the song's original singer, Gerry Marsden.
Tributes were paid in other parts of the country, including at Everton's Goodison Park stadium where the Anfield memorial was screened live.
- Published15 April 2014
- Published26 April 2016
- Published15 April 2014
