Rodgers inspired by families
Brendan Rodgers has offered his 'solidarity and support' to the fight for Hillsborough justice, revealing how inspired he is by the spirit of those affected by the disaster.
The Liverpool manager was in attendance at the vigil which took place at St George's Hall following the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report earlier in the day.
Afterwards, he spoke to LFC TV and discussed his impressions on a momentous day and paid tribute to football supporters, both red and blue, throughout the city.
Brendan, it has been an incredibly emotional day and evening for everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club hasn't it?
Yes, absolutely, the fight has gone on for 23 years and to get the solution that they got today, it's obviously justice in terms of all the heartache that the families and the people have gone through. It has been so inspirational in terms of the fight and being here tonight at the vigil has been very touching and very moving. The families will all go away from today with hope, and that's obviously very important.
How important was it for you personally to be here at the vigil tonight?
For me personally, it wasn't even a choice. For me, it was an obligation, I needed to be here and show that solidarity and support that is all important at times like these. Having lost both my parents in the last 18 months, I understand the grief that goes with losing someone. But to maybe have lost a son or a daughter, I can never begin to imagine what that must be like, or a brother or sister. So, for me, it was just a case of showing my support as the leader of the football club. Like I say, it's an absolute honour and a privilege to manage this club, and those 96 people that did die along with the survivors and families will always play a part in this club, an integral part. I'm here to represent them.
How impressed have you been by the courage and resolve shown by the families?
It's phenomenal. I draw motivation for myself on a personal level from the fight and the desire and the will and the pain that they have gone through over the last 23 years. It's so inspirational. I met Margaret Aspinall and Jenni Hicks a couple of weeks back, when I came into the club, and I was just torn by their stories of their children and how they had obviously lost their lives. You couldn't really begin to imagine what they have gone through as families. Today was the start of the process for them in terms of getting some sort of justice, they are halfway there and they will go on and fight the next stage. After the last 23 years, today has been worth it for them.
Finally, a word on the football supporters who turned out at St George's Hall - both red and blue...
That's something I've always felt from the outside and now from the inside. There are not too many cities that have supporters like Liverpool and Everton. They very much come together when there's grief and show that strength and resolve as a city. It was great to see Everton supporters there as well. It really shows that strength and power within the city overall. It's something I've seen over many years, the way they sit together at games, there are not too many cities that share that. It's a very unique city, with some wonderful people, and the fight that has gone on for the last 23 years has been rewarded. They can take the next step on the journey and get the next set of justice for the dead.