A host of events will be held across Liverpool to mark the 27th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Tributes to the 96 supporters killed at the now infamous FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest on April 15th, 1989, will see parts of the city centre come to a virtual stand-still, in what has become an annual show of solidarity from the people of Merseyside to the families of the victims.
Tomorrow’s memorial service at Anfield- scheduled for 2:45 pm- is the high-profile centre piece of the anniversary’s event programme, with those wanting to attend advised to submit ticket applications for the service.
Those unable to attend the Anfield memorial will be able to pay their respects in a variety of other locations- the Mersey Ferry will sound its horn at 3.06 pm tomorrow, flags on famous city landmarks like the Town Hall will be flown half mast, and the bells at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral will also be rung 96 times in honour of the victims.
A minute’s silence will also be held prior to tonight’s Europa League quarter-final second-leg between Liverpool and Dortmund, with both the Kop and the travelling contingent of 3,000 Dortmund fans planning to unfurl banners in memory of those killed in the tragedy.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: “We will never forget those who died at Hillsborough, and this is a day for us to unite as a city and remember each one and also their families and friends left behind.
“I urge everyone in Liverpool, and across the region, to observe the minute’s silence, as a mark of respect for the 96 who lost their lives.”