Liverpool to hold memorial service for 96 Hillsborough victims at Anfield

Liverpool will mark the 26th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster by holding a memorial service at Anfield this afternoon.

The club will pay its respects to the 96 Liverpool supporters who died as a result of a crush at the Hillsborough ground during an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989.

As part of the service, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and Everton skipper Phil Jagielka will release 96 balloons to remember the victims.

The families of those who died continue to fight for justice and inquests into the tragedy are ongoing in Warrington after the original 'accidental' verdict was quashed following the emergence of fresh evidence.

Many figures in the game have paid tribute to the 96 lives lost on Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/tDNGxD1Jvr

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 14, 2015

26 years ago today 96 @LFC supporters went to a game but never came home. We will never forget them #MerseysideUnited pic.twitter.com/Uuq2pwgqss

— Everton (@Everton) April 15, 2015

Today we stand with @LFC & remember the fans who tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough on this day in 1989. pic.twitter.com/aFW6HcSC76

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 15, 2015