Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and captain Jordan Henderson have delivered messages of support to the families of the 96 supporters killed in the Hillsborough disaster 31 years ago.
A final memorial
service for the victims was due to take place at Anfield on Wednesday, but has
been postponed due to coronavirus guidelines on mass gatherings.
“Today is the most
significant date for our football club each year,” Klopp said in a video
message.
“The plan was for
us to be together at Anfield but this is not possible, the only thing we can
make sure is we are in each other’s thoughts.
“Believe me you
have our thoughts, you have our prayers and most of all you have our love. You’ll
never walk alone.”
The final memorial
service was arranged after the police commander at Hillsborough, David
Duckenfield, was found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter in November.
“Today was a day
when as a club we were all supposed to be together at Anfield to honour the
lives of 96 people who went to a football match and never came home,” said
Henderson, who has led a charitable fund set up by Premier League players to
help health service staff during the coronavirus crisis.
“On behalf of all
the players at Liverpool I just want to let everyone affected know that you are
in our thoughts today.
“As ever, we are
together in spirit even if we can’t be together in person.”
Kenny Dalglish, who
was Liverpool manager on the day of the tragedy, also sent his support.
Dalglish was
released from hospital last week after testing positive for COVID-19, although
he had been admitted for a separate infection.
“This is a day
when, first and foremost, we remember those who went to a football match and
never came home – they will never be forgotten,” said Dalglish.
“But we should also
think of the families and survivors who showed the rest of us how to deal with
an unimaginable tragedy.
“By sticking
together, supporting one another and standing up for what was right, they set
an example which will always resonate, none more so than during the current
time when so many families are dealing with tragedies of their own.
“Today, my thoughts
will be with everyone who has suffered since April 15, 1989 and everyone who is
suffering now.
“All we can do is
carry on sticking together and finding strength in each other in the same way
that the Hillsborough families and survivors have over all these years.”
