Remembering the 96

Thousands of people will head to Anfield this afternoon to mark the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

The annual memorial service will be attended by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, principal owners John W Henry and Tom Werner, chief executive Ian Ayre, players and staff who will join the families and friends of the 96 victims, survivors and supporters.

It will be the first service since the truths of the events of April 15th 1989 were laid bare by the Hillsborough Justice Panel last autumn.

A candle will be lit for each of those who lost their lives, before a minutes silence at 3:06pm, the time the FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest was halted due to the tragedy.

Elsewhere, the Reds were held to a goalless draw at bottom of the table Reading on Saturday afternoon, not least due to an outstanding performance by Royal’s keeper Alex McCarthy.

The 23 year old made a string of saves to deny the Reds who remain in seventh place, eight points off a European place.

Meanwhile, Andy Carroll has admitted that he is open to making his move to West Ham United permanent once his loan period has expired.

The England international scored his sixth league goal of the season with the equaliser in the Hammers 1-1 draw at Southampton on Saturday.