Reds remember Boston anniversary
As Liverpool FC remembers the 96 supporters who lost their lives at Hillsborough with a memorial service at Anfield on Wednesday, the thoughts of those at the club are also with the people of Boston on their own tragic anniversary.
Thousands will journey to the Reds' home ground this afternoon to pay their respects, 26 years to the day of the disaster, which occurred during the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.
The date now holds further emotional importance in New England in the United States, after the 2013 finale of the annual Boston Marathon was rocked by two unexpected explosions which killed three people and injured more than 200 athletes.
Liverpool are owned by the Boston-based Fenway Sports Group, four members of whom - namely principal owner John W. Henry, wife Linda Pizzuti, club chairman Tom Werner and chief commercial officer Billy Hogan - were at Anfield two years ago today as events unfolded across the Atlantic.
The Reds boast a sizable fan base in Boston after visiting the city and playing at the iconic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, as part of their pre-season tour in 2012. Brendan Rodgers' side then returned to the same venue last summer for a friendly against AS Roma.
In addition to paying poignant tributes to the 96 on the 26th anniversary of Hillsborough, the thoughts of everybody at LFC are also with those affected by the date in Boston today.