The match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United on Sunday will go down in history as one of the most emotional matches ever played, as not only the English Premier League football fraternity and Liverpool supporters, but also lovers of the game around the world will pay tribute to the precious lives lost in the Hillsborough disaster 23 years ago.
Liverpool will play their first game after the Hillsborough Independent Panel concluded in its report that fans of the club were not the cause of the disaster, ending years of pain the families of the victims went through without justice being delivered.
Putting an end to the blame on Liverpool fans for the disaster, the Hillsborough Independent Panel, which consisted of nine distinguished members with expertise in their respective professions, presented its report on September 12, clearing the fans of The Reds for the deaths of 96 people during the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989.
Liverpool and Manchester United captains Steven Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic will release 96 red balloons in tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster before the kick-off on Sunday.
However, the build-up to Sunday's match is a bit tense after the Manchester United fans resorted to anti-Liverpool chants during the match against Wigan last weekend.
Sensing potential disorder during the Sunday clash at Anfield, Merseyside Police have urged fans of Liverpool and Manchester United to stay calm and report anybody taking part in distasteful chanting. Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson and team captain Nemanja Vidic too have urged the fans for calm.
Sir Alex has written a letter to Manchester United fans ahead of the Sunday's match to support the team like they did at Anfield last session, saying that "it cannot and should never be based on personal hatred".
"Just ten days ago, we heard the terrible, damning truth about the deaths of 96 fans who went to watch their team try and reach the FA Cup final and never came back. What happened to them should wake the conscience of everyone connected with the game," he said.
"Our great club stands with our great neighbours Liverpool today (Sunday) to remember that loss and pay tribute to their campaign for justice. I know I can count on you to stand with us in the best traditions of the best fans in the game," he concluded.
A tribute was paid to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster before the match between Everton and Newcastle United at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Monday, and it is expected to follow suit at several venues before the matches this weekend and the days to come.
The supporters of both Liverpool and Manchester United are expected and should maintain calm and enjoy the match on Sunday - at least respecting the 96 precious lives lost on that sad day 23 years ago.
"The Truth" Documentary in Tribute to Hillsborough Disaster Victims
Liverpool has released a moving documentary called "The Truth" in tribute to the Hillsborough disaster victims.
The video tribute running over an hour begins with a saying by Mahatma Gandhi: "When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won."
Addressing the House of the Commons, British Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the families of the victims saying that they suffered for too long and "double injustice has been left uncorrected for so long."
"It was wrong that the responsible authorities knew Hillsborough did not meet minimum safety standards and yet still allowed the match to go ahead. It was wrong that the families have had to wait for so long and fight so hard just to get to the truth," he told the House.
ED Miliband, Leader of the Opposition, also apoligised to the families of the victims saying that "they didn't do enough". "It shames us as a country to take 23 years to know the truth," he said.
The documentary, which also has speeches by the members of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and football fans, ends with the quote by Martin Luther King Jr: "The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice."
[About 1989 Hillsborough Disaster and Hillsborough Independent Panel Report]
