A red rose for the 96: Liverpool manager lays a single flower as thousands attend ceremony to mark the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster

Tributes: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers lays a single red rose at the Hillsborough Eternal Flame shrine outside Anfield

Never forgotten: Rodgers is joined by co-owner Tom Werner (left) as they leave roses before the annual memorial service at Anfield

Moment's contemplation: Brendan Rodgers is flanked by Liverpool owners Tom Werner (left) and John W Henry (right) as they pay their respects

In his address, Henry told the 5,500 present that there was now a 'real belief that justice will be served' following the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel that finally exonerated the fans of blame for the disaster.

'It is an honour to be here on this particular day, the first service since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report.

'Now there is a real belief that justice will be served. This club will always cherish the memory of family and friends lost 24 years ago today. They will forever be part of Liverpool Football Club.'

'Justice will be served': Liverpool owner John W Henry is applauded following his address

 

96 victims of Hillsborough Disaster remembered

Unity of the Kop: More than five thousand attended the service at Anfield

Posy of roses: Four-year-old Grace Mealand leaves a floral tribute on the Anfield pitch during the service

Kenwright's reading symbolised the way in which the city had been united in both grief and the subsequent quest for justice.

'I hope since that day you have known the support of Everton Football Club for you,' he said.

Monday's service is the first since the Panel found the police and other agencies were responsible.

It also highlighted the systematic cover-up by South Yorkshire Police to shift blame from themselves.

Referring to the ongoing pursuit of justice by the families, Kenwright said: 'I hope by next year you'll be celebrating the greatest victory any team has had, not only in football, but in life.'

He added that the authorities had 'picked on the wrong mums' in their attempts to cover up what had really happened that day.

VIDEO: Bill Kenwright speaks at Hillsborough memorial service

Red and blue: Brendan Rodgers sits next to Everton manager David Moyes

Old and new: The current Liverpool playing staff joined club legends to mark the 24th anniversary

Prior to this, the large crowd present held a minute's silence and sung an emotional rendition of 'Abide with Me'. A candle was lit for each of the 96 victims as their names were read out by priests.

The families were given a prolonged standing ovation as they took their seats at the front of the Kop.

Margaret Aspinall, chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said the cover-up of the disaster 'will be a stain on this nation and certain individuals - and they know who they are'.

She added: 'It is a real honour to be able to stand in front of you today and say after nearly a quarter of a century the real truth is out, a truth that finally puts the record straight. Now justice must follow.

'It has taken 8,551 dark days and a report incorporating 395 pages to finally expose what we all knew from day one - the fans were not blame.'

It continued a weekend of tributes, including the unveiling of two new memorials in the city.

They'll never walk alone: A banner in honour of the Hillsborough victims at Anfield

Up above: A fan looks to the heavens as the names of the 96 victims are read out

A 7ft-high bronze monument listing the names of those who died and their ages was opened on Old Haymarket in a public ceremony attended by 300 people.

Meanwhile, an antique clock was installed at Liverpool Town Hall set to 3.06pm, the time of the tragedy.

Manchester United joined a number of clubs around the world in paying their respects with an online message bearing the names of the dead.

On Twitter, football personalities added their own tributes on the anniversary, with some changing their profiles to 'Justice for the 96' or 'JFT96' in tribute.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen tweeted: 'Twenty four years ago 96 people went to a football match and didn't come home...... Thinking about them and their families today.'

His former team-mate Robbie Fowler wrote: 'In memory of the 96... Ynwa.'

Another Anfield favourite, Dietmar Hamman, said: 'Spare a thought for the 96 who lost their life on this terrible day 24 years ago and the families who lost loved ones. Always remembered.'

Legends: Kenny Dalglish arrives at Anfield for the annual Hillsborough memorial service

Anfield service: Kevin Keegan takes his seat for the memorial on the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster

Liverpool hero: Alan Hansen arrives at Anfield

Crystal Palace striker Shaun Wright-Phillips tweeted: 'No matter what team it is you support. There is a lot more to life than football! #JFT96 thoughts with those affected by Hillsborough.'

Liverpool's managing director Ian Ayre told the Liverpool Echo: 'We'll have our owners over for the event this year. It's always important that people at the club show their support for everybody. I am sure everyone will do that on the day.

'Our role at the club right from the event itself has always been to be supportive - supportive of the families, supportive of the fans and supportive of the process.

'That continues and will always continue. As far as the families are concerned, we're always there for them.'

Current crop: Joe Allen (left) and Raheem Sterling among the Liverpool squad at the service

Greeting: Brendan Rodgers shakes the hand of a Liverpool fan as he leads the squad into Anfield

Local boys: Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher (behind) greet fans 

Never forgotten: Three-year-old Liverpool fan Millie Morris leaves her tribute to the Hillsborough victims outside Anfield

A day to remember: Fans have been visiting the Eternal Flame shrine at Anfield to leave floral tributes or have a moments' contemplation

With love: A message from the Hillsborough Family Support Group

Anne Williams, who has campaigned tirelessly for justice to be served after her 15-year-old son Kevin died in the tragedy, was too ill to attend yesterday's unveiling after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in September.

Sheila Coleman, of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, will deliver a statement on her behalf this afternoon.

She told the Echo: 'The fact that Anne is too ill to attend the memorial service and personally thank the many people who continue to support her is a sad indication of how Hillsborough has taken its toll.

'In fighting Kevin's case over many years she has sacrificed her own health and well-being. This should never have happened.'

Football United: Tributes have been pouring in from across the game to the 96 victims of the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster, including this one from Manchester United

New memorial: A 7ft tall bronze monument to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster was unveiled in Liverpool city centre on Sunday

Tributes: The memorial features the names and ages of the 96 Liverpool supporters who died at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough on April 15, 1989

Never forgotten: Some of the names of those who perished in Britain's worst stadium disaster

Time stands still: A special clock, fixed at 3.06pm, the time of the tragedy, was unveiled in Liverpool town hall

Test of time: Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson spoke at the unveiling of the clock

Eternal flame: A candle was lit in the town hall to remember the 96

Paying their respects: The city centre monument will be a permanent tribute to the dead

Floral tributes: Roses are left at the base of the memorial

Merseyside roses: A wreath left at the new Hillsborough memorial yesterday

Kiss goodbye: John Pugh, who lost a close friend in the disaster, at the new monument

City united: A tribute to the 96 at the Everton club shop outside Goodison Park