Liverpool Football Club has unveiled a new memorial on the 41st anniversary of the Heysel Stadium tragedy, honouring the 39 fans who lost their lives. The ceremony at Anfield on Friday was attended by representatives from Juventus, Liverpool's opponents in the 1985 European Cup final, alongside Liverpool ambassador Ian Rush and chief executive Billy Hogan.
The memorial, titled 'Forever Bound', is located behind the Anfield Road Stand, replacing an earlier plaque deemed inadequate. It features two bronze scarves—one from Juventus and one from Liverpool—entwined together, symbolising solidarity and the bond formed through shared grief. The sculpture also includes the date and location of the tragedy and the names of all 39 victims: 32 from Italy, four from Belgium, two from France and one from Northern Ireland.
The design was inspired by photographs of the aftermath showing fan memorabilia scattered across the Heysel terraces. Italian marble was used for the memorial, which was proposed last year by the Liverpool supporters' board and the Spirit of Shankly supporters' union.
Ian Rush, who played in the ill-fated 1985 final and later joined Juventus, said: 'Today is a deeply moving moment. It's hard to believe over 40 years have passed since Heysel but the memory of that day never fades. This new memorial means a great deal to all of us.'
Billy Hogan, who attended a similar unveiling in Turin last year, added: 'This memorial is a symbol of shared remembrance, of unity and the bond formed between Liverpool and Juventus. We stand together in solidarity and memory of the 39 supporters who tragically lost their lives at Heysel.'
