Liverpool’s 3-0 demolition of Manchester City on Monday night brought back some of the pride lost on nights like the one last August when the scoreline was the other way round at the City of Manchester stadium.
An outstanding debut from Jon Flanagan and Andy Carroll bagging his first two goals for Liverpool added to the pleasure on a night where everybody in a Red shirt deserved praise.
But before the match it was time to put football to one side in preparation for tomorrow’s anniversary of Hillsborough. Undoubtedly the saddest day in Liverpool’s calendar, the club have pledged to do everything in their power never to play again on April 15th. It is now custom on the nearest of Liverpool’s fixtures to the anniversary for both sides to wear black armbands and for a minute’s silence to be held before kick-off.
Monday’s game was the fixture this applied to this year and Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has let Manchester City’s supporters know how grateful the club and its supporters are for the respect they showed at Anfield.
This year’s silence had added poignancy as it was also held in tribute to David Fairclough’s wife Jan and Lance Sergeant Mark Burgan. City’s supporters were outstanding.
Dalglish, in LFC magazine, said: “This week is the 22nd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. At the game on Monday night the minute’s silence for those 96 fans, and also for soldier Mark Burgan and David Fairclough’s wife Jan, was brilliantly honoured.
“We’d like to thank the City fans for that. They deserve a great amount of credit for their behaviour. It shows that people can put aside their football rivalries.”
The 22nd Hillsborough Anniversary service will be held at Anfield tomorrow. The stadium will be open from 1pm with the service commencing at 2.45pm.
we are impeccable
Absolutely, it was great to hear the silence on the tv. Well done to all involved. Very sad obviously to have to have it for all the victims.
City fans are very respectful. We are nothing like the knuckle dragging cretins that infest the Manchester United ranks, Many of them are absolute scum.