Liverpool broke the deadlock with Blackburn after 19 minutes, Gerrard spread the play to Yossi Benayoun out wide left and, after the Israeli had maneuvered into the box, Steven Gerrard was back on the scene to slip in the opener. A cheeky handball from Jamie Carragher while grounded in the Reds’ box was seen by the officials, allowing Keith Andrews to bring Rovers level from the spot. But then Anfield saw the sight they’ve been missing for much of the season as Fernando Torres was able to restored Liverpool’s lead from a neat Maxi pass.

via 101 Great Goals

Relief broke out at Anfield 10 minutes from the break as Liverpool took the lead against Bolton when Dirk Kuyt slid home after Insua crossed from the left and Aquilani did well to head the ball back across goal for the Dutchman. The Merseysiders made sure of the points midway through the second half when an Insua shot took a wicked deflection off Kevin Davies for 2-nil.

Champions Manchester United begin their quest for a fourth successive title at home to newly-promoted Birmingham City. It is a tough start for the Blues who won promotion by finishing runners-up in the Championship behind Wolverhampton Wanderers who are at home to West Ham United on the opening day. The other new-boys Burnley, making their bow in the Premier League, begin away to the club they will aim to emulate – Stoke City.

Last season’s runners-up Liverpool, will begin this campaign as they finished the last against Tottenham Hotspur but this time away. Third-placed Chelsea host Hull City while Arsenal travel to FA Cup finalists Everton. Big-spending Manchester City start away to Blackburn Rovers while Fulham are away to Portsmouth.

New Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will kick off at Bolton Wanderers while Roberto Martinez takes charge of Wigan Athletic for the first time at Aston Villa.

Key Matches
Fans will be keen to see the key matches between the teams who finished in the top four last season, although fixture dates are still subject to change for television.

The first of these is currently scheduled for 29th August when Manchester United host Arsenal and the last is on 1st May when Chelsea travel to Liverpool.

Arsenal have a tough spell early in the New Year as they face successive matches against the other three teams from last season’s top four. In the space of 10 days they host Manchester United (30th January), then go to Chelsea (6th February) and are at home to Liverpool (9th February).

Manchester United v Arsenal (29th Aug)
Chelsea v Liverpool (3rd Oct)
Liverpool v Manchester United (24th Oct)
Chelsea v Manchester United (7th Nov)
Arsenal v Chelsea (28th Nov)
Liverpool v Arsenal (12th Dec)
Arsenal v Manchester United (30th Jan)
Chelsea v Arsenal (6th Feb)
Arsenal v Liverpool (9th Feb)
Manchester United v Liverpool (20th Mar)
Manchester United v Chelsea (3rd Apr)
Liverpool v Chelsea (1st May)

via PremierLeague.com

Here is a brief explanation of the tragic events that unfolded that day:

On 15th April 1989 an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was to be played at a neutral ground, Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough.
Liverpool, despite having far more fans than Forest, were allocated 4,000 fewer tickets and the smaller Leppings Lane stand. Its official capacity was well above what could safely be contained, even before the police forced more in.
Inside the ground, as was common at the time, the terraces had sturdy ten foot fences at the front, caging in fans. With ten minutes to go before kick-off, there was already a crush on the Liverpool terraces and a lot more fans outside the ground.
Panicking in the short time before kick-off with so many fans still outside, the police didn’t delay the start of the match and see people in safely. Instead, they opened an exit gate and allowed the fans to pour in.
Alleviating a supposed crush by forcing the crowd into a far more crowded area fronted by tall strong cages was only going to lead to one thing. Hundreds of people were injured, 96 were killed.

See also the Hillsborough Justice Campaign website

The article covers in depth the police incompetence, the attempt at a cover up and lying and blaming it on non-existent hooliganism, the lies printed by The Sun newspaper and the on-going boycott on Mersyeside and the lack of any prosecution of anyone that caused the disaster is also mentioned.

The Liverpool fans forum IrishKop.com will remain closed for today, as a mark of respect. This image is displayed on their homepage:

Justice for the 96

RICK Parry is set to leave Liverpool Football Club.

The Liverpool Echo understands Parry’s departure by mutual consent will be officially announced by Liverpool later today. The long serving chief executive will not leave with immediate effect though with all parties in agreement that he will remain in position until the end of the current season.

Speculation will inevitably surface suggesting Parry has lost a power struggle with Reds boss Rafa Benitez but the ECHO understands the real reason for his power is an acknowledgement that his relationship with Tom Hicks is unworkable. As yet, there are no indications about who will replace Parry when his time at the club comes to an end.

At least if it was a Tuscon style Superbowl interruption (someone showed a porn clip during the Superbowl in Tuscon, AZ) it would have been worth it.

There is an uncensored version available on break.com