The memorial depicts two young mascots holding hands – a girl wearing an Everton shirt with the number nine and a boy in Liverpool red with the number seven – symbolising unity that transcends the clubs' historic Merseyside rivalry. Everton welcomed representatives of the Hillsborough families, and friends from Liverpool Football Club, to Hill Dickinson Stadium to pay respects to the 97. Liverpool greats Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush laid floral tributes on behalf of the club at the unveiling.
The fans, many of them young, were crushed in an overcrowded, fenced-in enclosure at the ground in Sheffield, northern England, at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The exact design or materials used in the permanent tribute beyond the description of the mascots have not been detailed, and it is unclear how many representatives from Hillsborough families and Liverpool FC attended the event. Whether there were any speeches or ceremonies at the unveiling beyond the laying of floral tributes remains unknown.
Remembering the 97 on the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. A tragic day for football and our city. Forever in our thoughts.
Everton host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. It will be the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium after the Toffees left Goodison Park last year. Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League table, occupying the final Champions League qualification spot.
Everton are only five points further back in eighth, and will close the gap to just two points if they can win on Sunday. Liverpool won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Anfield in September, with Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike scoring the goals for Arne Slot’s side. The current Premier League standings of other teams around Everton and Liverpool that could affect the significance of Sunday's match have not been specified.