Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes the scars of the Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the life of his cousin, as well as 95 other fans, will never heal.
With the 20th anniversary of the tragedy being marked on Wednesday, the England star, who was only nine at the time, recalled the horror of discovering his 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley had become the youngest victim of the disaster.
“We got the dreaded knock the next morning to say that a member of our family was at the game and had been tragically killed,” said Gerrard.
“Obviously it was a difficult time to know that one of your cousins had been at the game and had been crushed.
“Seeing the reactions of his mum, dad and family helped me drive on to become the player I have developed into today.
“Time has gone by, but the scars will never ever be healed and the fans will never ever forget. So you can always rely on our supporters to be there for you when you need them.”
Gerrard will play a prominent role in the memorial service to be held at Anfield on Wednesday, the day after Liverpool try to overturn a 3-1 Champions League quarter-final deficit at Chelsea.
“The memory of Hillsborough is very central and very important to this club and the 96 will never be forgotten, as well as the people that got hurt,” he added.
“It is important these people get remembered individually and not just as a number of 96. This club has fought for justice ever since and will continue to do so.
“We have stuck together since that day like we always do at this club and that shows what kind of football club we are, sticking by each other when times are tough.
“We are not just about what happens on the pitch, we are all one off the pitch as well.
