Liverpool falls silent to remember victims of Hillsborough disaster

LONDON - Liverpool, home of the current English Premier League leaders, fell silent Wednesday as the city remembered the 96 fans killed in Hillsborough disaster.

During an FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on 15 April 1989, 96 Liverpool supporters died due to a crash.

A final memorial service was due to be held at Anfield on the 31st anniversary of the tragedy but had to be canceled because of COVID-19.

But the city still managed to remember the victims. Liverpool FC officials, players and fans, as well as leaders from City Hall, took part in a minute's silence.

Flags were flown at half-mast on civic buildings and at Anfield Stadium, and the bells at Liverpool Town Hall chimed 96 times for those killed.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp issued a video on the club's website with a message for fans.

A wreath was laid at Anfield stadium's Hillsborough memorial and a commemorative banner placed inside the ground.

The message on the wreath read: "We stand together today as a family to remember the 96 Liverpool fans -- men, women and children -- who so tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough.

"It's saddening that during these unprecedented circumstances that we cannot be together today in person at the last ever Memorial Service at Anfield to pay our respects to the 96, their families, the survivors and everyone affected by this tragedy. We hope to reschedule the memorial service in the near future so that we can come together to celebrate the lives of the 96. Despite this, we are together in spirit today to offer our love and support on this very difficult day," it said.