Klopp sends a message to the fans on Hillsborough anniversary

The final Hillsborough memorial to be held at Anfield was postponed due to coronavirus and Jurgen Klopp sent his thoughts to Liverpool fans. 

At the 1989 FA semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, 96 people died when a crush developed in the Leppings Lane End of Sheffield Wednesday’s home stadium.

A 2016 inquest found the fans were unlawfully killed due to failure by the police and ambulance services. The Hillsborough Family Support Group had planned to stage its final memorial service at Anfield on Wednesday but the coronavirus pandemic forced a postponement. 

In a video shared by Liverpool on Twitter, Klopp said, “Today is the most significant date of our football club each year. The plan was that we are together at Anfield today but this is not possible. The only thing we can make sure of is that we are in each other’s thoughts and believe me, you are in our thoughts.”

Captain Jordan Henderson also posted a message video via the club’s handle. Henderson’s message said, “Today was a day 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. 

I’m not one for making speeches but on behalf of all 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. You’ll never walk alone," he further added.

Liverpool players, staff and supporters observe a minute’s silence at 15:06 BST on Wednesday, the time the match against Forest was stopped. 

The original intention was meant to hold the memorial on the 30th anniversary of the tragedy but it coincided with the trial of David Duckenfield, the Hillsborough match commander who was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter following a retrial in November.

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