Klopp on Hillsborough: "Their Story Will Always Be Our Story"

Today we remember the 96 Liverpool fans who tragically lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April 1989. At the request of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, this will be the first year without an Anfield memorial service. There will, however, be a cathedral service at 2.45PM BST/ 9.45AM EST that will alternate annually between Liverpool’s Anglican and Catholic cathedrals.

The players and staff of Liverpool Football Club will pay their respects by visiting a Hillsborough memorial that has been moved to Melwood for a short time. There will be a minute’s silence at 3.06PM BST/10.06AM EST when the semi-final against Nottingham Forest was halted 28 years ago. At some point prior to the minute’s silence, Jürgen Klopp and captain Jordan Henderson will lay flowers at Anfield.

The manager reflected on a sad day in for everyone connected to the club.

This is a day of special significance for the LFC family; in fact it is a day of significance for the whole of football – but us more so. We will of course mark the occasion as a team, this is important. I know, at the wish of the families, this is the first year where the service does not take place at Anfield but that doesn’t mean we won’t stop and remember in an appropriate manner.

There is a memorial at Melwood, with the names of the 96 people who lost their lives on 15 April 1989. We, as a team, will pause, show our respect and remember them on this day. For the victims, the families of those who died and the survivors, their story will always be our story. Their memory and the spirit of those who fought for them long after their deaths, will always be a reason for inspiration and hope, as well as sorrow.

Last year brought justice after fans were exonerated, but people had to grieve as well as fight. The 96 and their loved ones lost so much, and so, it is important to never forget their story.