Gerrard issues Hillsbro plea

15 March 2009 13:30
Steven Gerrard is praying that Uefa have the 'common-sense' to switch the date of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster.[LNB] The Reds skipper is still haunted by the incident on 15th April, 1989 where 96 people died watching the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.[LNB]Gerrard lost his 10-year-old cousin, John-Paul Gilhooley, in the horrific Leppings Lane terrace crush which happened at the start of the semi-final against Brain Clough's Forest.[LNB]With the return leg of the Champions league last-eight matches scheduled for the 14th and 15th of April, Gerrard has pleaded to Uefa chief Michel Platini to look sympathetically on Liverpool.[LNB]But the Merseysiders are worried, though, as they are still waiting to hear from the governing body after making a direct appeal on the fixture five months ago.[LNB]And without the guarantee Gerrard and co are left hoping the club will be given the time on that day to remember the victims and their families.[LNB]"We will have to wait and see what happens but hopefully there is a way around it," Gerrard told The Daily Star Sunday.[LNB]Common-sense"I don't think you should have to play on a day like that. It should be a day when we remember the people who we lost - and their families.[LNB]"Rules are rules and sometimes you can't break them. You have to deal with them. Uefa have to show a bit of common sense and ideally rules can change - but unfortunately it doesn't look like it's going to happen."[LNB]Gerrard, who was on the score-sheet in Liverpool's 4-1 mauling of Manchester United on Saturday, accepts that the Reds will have to accept UEFA's decision when it comes.[LNB]But the Kop talisman suggests his side can use the situation as an extra impetus to land a sixth European crown.[LNB]"If it's the case Uefa insist on that day, then we will have to do it. The date will give us extra motivation to win," Gerrard added.[LNB]"And if we win the Champions League we will dedicate the triumph to those people who lost their lives."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports