Source: SKY_Sports
Gerrard issues Hillsbro plea
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. 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.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.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.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.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."We will have to wait and see what happens but hopefully there is a way around it," Gerrard told The Daily Star Sunday.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."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."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.But the Kop talisman suggests his side can use the situation as an extra impetus to land a sixth European crown."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."And if we win the Champions League we will dedicate the triumph to those people who lost their lives."