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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and captain Jordan Henderson have paid tributes to mark the 31st anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.<\/p>\nLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and captain Jordan Henderson have paid tributes to mark the 31st anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.<\/p>\n
The Hillsborough Family Support Group was due to hold its last memorial service in memory of the 96 supporters who died at Liverpool\u2019s FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989.<\/p>\n
But the service was postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Players and staff will hold a minute\u2019s silence and flags will be flown at half-mast while Klopp and Henderson posted poignant video messages on the club\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday is the most significant date for our football club each year. 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 others\u2019 thoughts,\u201d said Klopp.<\/p>\n
\u201cBelieve me you have our thoughts, you have our prayers and most of all you have our love. You\u2019ll never walk alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Skipper Henderson also paid his own tribute as the club remembered.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday was a day when as a club we were all supposed to be together at Anfield to honor the lives of 96 people who went to a football match and never came home,\u201d he said on the club\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that we are unable to do so will make this anniversary especially hard for the families and survivors of Hillsborough.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not one for making speeches, but on behalf of all the players at Liverpool I just want to let everyone affected know that you are in our thoughts today.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs ever, we are together in spirit even if we can\u2019t be together in person. You\u2019ll never walk alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the group, said the service was due to be the last of its type as the families would remember their loved ones \u201cin their own way\u201d on future anniversaries.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cIn light of recent events, a decision was made collectively by the families to postpone our final memorial service at Anfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wish to keep as many people safe as possible and we believe this is the right approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of the HFSG, I would like to thank everyone for their understanding in this matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fresh inquests held in 2016 found the 96 men, women and children were unlawfully killed and found that blunders by South Yorkshire\u2019s police and ambulance services \u201ccaused or contributed to\u201d their deaths, and exonerated Liverpool fans of wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
It was announced in February that the families of the victims had decided to hold a last service after former police match commander David Duckenfield was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter following a retrial in November.<\/p>\n
The club tweeted a message to fans early on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
Liverpool tweeted: \u201cWe stand together today as a family to remember the 96 Liverpool fans \u2013 men, women and children \u2013 who so tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are together in spirit today to offer our love and support on this very difficult day. You\u2019ll Never Walk Alone.\u201d<\/p>\n