Echo: Tributes from rivals

The 96 Hillsborough victims were remembered during an emotion-charged afternoon at Anfield.

Football's greatest rivalry was temporarily forgotten ahead of Liverpool's first home game since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report which absolved fans of any blame for the 1989 tragedy and heavily criticised South Yorkshire Police and the subsequent cover-up.

Yesterday Manchester United fans joined in the applause in memory of those who died while mosaics spelling out the words The Truth and Justice were displayed during the traditional playing of LFC anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone".

Before kick off World Cup legend Sir Bobby Charlton carried a bouquet of 96 roses which he handed to ex-Liverpool striker Ian Rush while captains Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs released 96 red balloons. Players of both teams wore the number 96 on their tracksuit tops in tribute to those who died at Hillsborough.

Hillsborough Justice Campaign chairman Kenny Derbyshire, a survivor of the 1989 tragedy, said after the game: "It was an emotional day, it was always going to be. The mosaic, especially, was really moving and the fans and the club were terrific.

"Respect has to be given to Manchester United as well. They are our rivals. But on a day like this football gets set to one side. They showed great respect to the 96 and their families.

"It is a day that will stay with us all for a very long time. The message of truth and vindication was put across really well."

Margaret Aspinall, chairman of Hillsborough Family Support Group, said it was an emotional occasion. She too praised the away team and their manager.

Mrs Aspinall added: "We would have loved Liverpool to have won, but everyone was saying the same thing afterward, that it showed it was not just about football today.

"It was lovely to be there and be invited to it, to be part of it was wonderful. It was a lovely tribute to the 96, and to all involved - when Sir Bobby Charlton presented the bouquet to Ian Rush, and then the mosaics - it was very moving."

Hope for Hillsborough, the campaign group set up by Anne Williams whose son Kevin died in the Leppings Lane crush aged just 15, was also represented at the match, though Ms Williams was too unwell to attend the game herself.

Insults between a minority of supporters were traded at the end of the game but Merseyside Police later praised fans' behaviour.

The force tweeted after the match: "Thanks to both sets of fans for respecting the occasion today. The vast majority behaved impeccably and did their clubs proud."

A Merseyside Police spokesman was unable to confirm the number of arrests but said there were very few.

Source: Liverpool Echo