We held a silence. I saw in the eyes of all of the players they understood why
LEADER OF THE PACK ... Brendan Rodgers takes charge of Liverpool's training session at Melwood
BRENDAN RODGERS spoke from his soul as he reflected on an emotional week for everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club.
The Anfield boss may only have been in charge for a little over three months.But he knows what the shocking Hillsborough report meant to the whole city and was pleased to see his players did, too.
Rodgers asked his squad to pay their own respects to the 96 victims of the tragedy as well as the families who waited 23 years for justice.
He said: “We had a silence on the field during training on Wednesday.
“I was looking at the eyes and faces of the players who have just come in. They were not bemused, they understood.
“That’s part of what being at Liverpool is about.
“This disaster was a big part of the club’s history.
“It was monumental for this club. Everyone understands it from the youth team to the management. Everyone knows the magnitude of what happened.”
Rodgers, 39, took part in a vigil in Liverpool city centre after the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report was published and chatted with some of the families and survivors.
Later on Wednesday night, as he drove home, he took time to reflect on their incredible fight for justice and the amazing qualities they have shown.
He said: “I was standing at the vigil and there were all sorts of emotions. Sadness, too.
“I’m sure like everyone else I was shocked by the 41 people who could have survived. That must have been a sad moment even though there was justice.
“They fought for 23 years. You can imagine their journey and they kept fighting.
“Everyone can draw inspiration from how hard they’ve fought, the time, the effort. It’s not just a message for the football club, it’s a world message.”
Rodgers hopes his players can take on board some of that same determination and spirit as they prepare to return to action at Sunderland this weekend.
Rodgers added: “Desire, will, perseverance, persistence — they were words that were flashing back to me as I was driving home that night.
“I knew the task I had when I took the job here but last night has given me greater pride, responsibility and drive.
“I’ve got a determination to bring some sort of happiness to the people who have suffered for so long.
“As the leader of a club like this, your duty isn’t just to your players, it’s to provide hope for supporters.”
Rodgers was a 16-year-old lad getting ready to leave home in Northern Ireland and try his luck in England when the Hillsborough tragedy occurred back in 1989.
Now, 23 years on, he finds himself as the club’s figurehead as they return to action at the Stadium of Light tomorrow evening.
He said: “It’s a great responsibility to carry the hopes of these people.
“The longer I’m here the more I immerse myself in the culture of this club.”
No doubt he will know all about legendary Liverpool boss Bill Shankly and his famous quote about football being more important than a matter of life and death.
Rodgers — a proud father, himself — said: “Your family is most important and your health. You’re a multi-millionaire if you have your health.
“Football is wonderful, it’s given us all a wonderful life. I love every minute of it.
“But life is more important, life and people’s health.
“What football can give those people is hope — and we have that opportunity.
“I understand what it means to them and I’m more than happy to carry that hope.”
Sources: TheSun
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