Re the Hillsborough service I must admit I was a bit surprised by the announcement but if that is what the families want then that is what we do. No debate!!

Looking at discussion elsewhere on other forums frequented by LFC fans and some families of the 96 I see some are saying that some people were going to the services just to see the players which in their words made it a bit of a farce. If that is true and if it has been said I have no doubt there must be some truth in it then that it is a bit shocking. When I went (I have only been once - 2 years ago) it was 100% cos I felt strongly over the issues not to see anyone and that is true of all I know who have ever been.

When this is all over - and here we are talking about when the jury gives its verdict which will be maybe the end of February I hope that there is no public fall out between us LFC fans. We have to continue to behave with the dignity that the families have shown for 27 years. For me the word 'justice' has been high on the agenda and yes of course that is part of it but the most important thing for me is 'truth' (a particularly poignant word given the newspaper headlines afterwards). I want the full truth of what happened on April 15th and in the subsequent cover up to not just be known as I believe it largely is now but to be on the public record - and if that happens then I will be satisfied. After the thoroughness of these inquests I feel fairly confident that that will be the case.

What happens to any individuals I have little or no interest in - I am not a vengeful person - and in any case I don't believe that what happened was down to one individual, there were lots involved in it.

I do tho believe that LFC should never play football on April 15th - I am not sure if todays announcement is a signal that that policy be reversed. I hope not cos on that day each year a lot of us fans like to reflect on the fact that some things are even more important than the result of the match and also to think of the 96 loved ones who went to see our team and did not come home - and then for much of the next 27 years their families had to suffer while their reputations were tarnished and many horrible lies about what happened that day were put into the public domain.

They will never be forgotten, and I hope they always keep that 96 on the back of LFC shirts, so new generations will ask and be told.

On another note, Kolo Toure. This season played 9, lost 0, drew 3, won 6!
Well done Kolo!

Kolo was arguably my MOTM last night. Absolute rock at the back, if only he were 10 years younger.

I honestly don't know if that'll be upheld after this. Next year the 15th of April will be on a Saturday. It can't be too difficult to just move it to the Sunday like they normally do but with no memorial service they might not. Maybe not next year but in the near future. I'd like to think they won't though.

From the outside, if I may comment, I think its perfectly acceptable on the face of it for Liverpool not to play on that date for as long as they want. Domestically its quite easy to sort out but European games could be an issue and I think in a ideal world as things move on organically I don't think its insulting to anyones memory if they did play on the date at some point in the future. Liverpool FC and everyone connected with the club have always been respectful to the disaster and I don't think anything that happens going forward will change that.

Its hugely sensitive and I don't think there is any right or wrong answer but to some extent there does have to be some "moving on" whilst at the same time keeping that level of respect ongoing.

I personally hope that something as hugely significant as this stays in the public's mind, so that people can pay their respects their own way each year.

Playing on the 15th might eventually happen on the odd occasion if it cannot be helped, but since this is a date so close to the hearts of everyone at the club, then it really should be avoided as much as possible.

Or maybe if they do have to play on that date, it might be the right time to have a two minutes silence or some other commemoration, just to keep it alive.

Thank you both for these sensible contributions. These issues are much bigger than any club loyalties and what you have said here shows you are both as aware of that as anybody - respect.

Yeah I think football will be played on the 15th eventually. Like I said it might not be next year but with there being no memorial service I can see the club playing on that date, and maybe having a moment of silence at the start of the game or have some sort of gesture when it happens.

I agree, Europe could be an issue in the future. The FA will respect it but UEFA might be harder to persuade if we have a Europa/Champions League game on that date. The fact that we won't have a memorial would at least mean we would be okay with having an away European fixture around that date. And in England...well I don't know when we'd be able to play on that date, and what happens when we do, then we draw Sheffield Wednesday away in the FA Cup? Might not go down well.

In any case whenever it does happen, and I believe it will happen at some point, the Hillsborough disaster will still be respected. As long as it's respected then I'll be okay with it, to be honest.

I'm pretty certain that if Munich is still commemorated at our club, 58 years later, then Hillsborough will never be forgotten, by people in general, not just football fans, or Liverpool fans.

Especially given the despicable cover-up that ensued.

People still commemorate those who died in wars, hundreds of years ago. Human compassion for tragic events doesn't fade. Empathy is always there.

As for playing on the 15th, were it ever to be 'necessary', then the game itself could become a commemoration. It may be too soon right now, but in the future, I'd suggest that a celebration of the lives of those who died could be a fitting way to remember.

At the risk of upsetting people, I'm bloody delighted to see that Everton have poked City in the eye.

2-1 is a tricky lead.

They'll have to make sure they make the most of any goal scoring opportunities in the second leg, a tough place to go to defend a slim lead.

I'll enjoy telling that to my Blue milkman.

Newcastle offer 22 million for lacazette, lyon accept but he turns the move down

Is this our cue?

Lacazette would be a fantastic signing for us, and although I don't think we need a striker I'd have him in a heartbeat.

It'd be rude not to chuck a bid in.

Take him on a swap loan with Benteke, with the option to buy/sell end of season. That way we could see how he goes! Looks win/win to me!

Source?

The DM report confirms nothing at all.

Swap him with the useless Henderson I say

In a way it will be good to see an all Merseyside final, the atmosphere would be great I think.

Liverpool v Everton League Cup final would be first time they've met in a Cup Final since '89 wouldnt it?

Would be great occasion if they can both make it through...

I see it's mixed news on our Hamstring issues. Coutinho's being the worst! He will miss Man Utd & Arsenal games, Lovren likely to miss Man Utd game and Toure just the Exeter game.

Had to laugh at Kolo - saying if he carries on playing like that he'll be at Real Madrid next season ...saying he and Lucas can cover CB if necessary and that he has no voice left after all his shouting.

I read last night that Tiago Ilori couldn't be recalled, but now the Echo are reporting that he's coming back. I had high hopes for him when he first signed, mainly because he was supposedly faster than Ronaldo. Now's the time for him to make his mark.

It's said that we're considering offering Kolo a new contract, which will expire at the end of the season. I wouldn't be completely against that idea, to be honest. He's a fine backup, as long as we don't have to rely on him playing every week.

From FB:

Kolo had Ronaldo in his pocket when we played them last season. He might scare Ronaldo into leaving.


Lastly...

Klopp on injuries:

“Phil is more serious than Dejan and Kolo, but nobody of these three players will be available for tomorrow. We don’t know exactly. Kolo was cramp but after three days he’s not available.

“Next week not a problem. Dejan will be available after Man United and Phil needs one or maybe two weeks longer. But we don’t know exactly. It’s really rare it’s quicker.”


No mention of Sakho.


Okay, lastly (for a second time!) we've recalled Sheyi Ojo from Wolves.

A number of posts have been removed from this thread - again.

Please cut out the arguing and keep the discussion on-topic or risking having the thread closed and sanctions placed upon the offending users.

Now that the matter has been dealt with, can get back to the topic that I was interested in discussing yesterday.



Yes, it won't be forgotten. These things don't get forgotten, by both club and other clubs and other fans. Given the whole cover up and everything that happened it's even known beyond football, you don't have to be a football fan to have an interest in the subject, or to know a bit about it. It's not going to fade into history after the last memorial service.

Every year it'll still be remembered, we'll still have the silences, and when a football match falls on that date we can just have our silence then, or maybe a minute or two clap to celebrate their lives, or as I said on my previous post on the matter a little gesture. During the memorial services they let off 96 balloons. They could do that before the start of the game. And if there isn't a game then, at some point in the future we could even have a little charity game then, like a legends vs celebrities kind of thing at some point. Can be seen as celebrating the fact that the truth is finally out. We've had them before, had one two years ago around the 25th anniversary.