The city of Liverpool came to a standstill as church bells across Merseyside rang 96 times this afternoon to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

As the people of the city fell silent, the bells of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool Town Hall and other churches across the area tolled 96 times at 3.06pm, the exact time a quarter of a century ago that Liverpool FC's FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest was abandoned.

Across the city, public transport was halted, the Mersey Ferry blew its funnels, and barriers at both Mersey Tunnels were lowered.

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At the city's main railway station, Lime Street, a huge screen displayed photographs of those who lost their lives in the crush on the Leppings Lane terraces at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground.

Shape Created with Sketch. Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Show all 50 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 1/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group march to Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool 2/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group march to Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool 3/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A woman walks past a Hillsborough tribute banner as fans arrive in Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool 4/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool fan wipes away tears during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 5/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool fan reacts during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 6/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group embrace as they arrive at Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool 7/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A man carrying flowers arrives at the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 8/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary British member of parliament Andy Burnham (C) arrives to attend a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 9/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the public and football fans gather together during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield 10/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Chairman Milan Mandaric lays a wreath during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield 11/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fans lay flowers by the Shankly gates before a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield in Liverpool 12/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Tommy Biggadike (2) whose grandfather Thomas Howard died in the tragedy arrives to lay flowers ahead of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield 13/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the public lay flowers before the screening of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Goodison Park in Liverpool 14/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Flowers are laid at the Hillsborough memorial outside Anfield to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool 15/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Football scarves are tied on the Shankly Gates at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 16/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A mourner stands next to the scarfs which are tied to the Shankly gates outside Anfield to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool 17/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A fan ties a scarf to the Shankly Gates at Anfield in Liverpool 18/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool supporter looks at the tributes ahead of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield 19/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A man holds up a scarf remembering those who have died in football disasters over the years during a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 20/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Everton's Spanish manager Roberto Martinez (top row L) and Liverpool football club players Steven Gerrard (3L), Daniel Agger (4R), Luis Suarez (3R), Daniel Sturridge (2R) and Glen Johnson (R) stand above former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish (bottom 3L) and former Liverpool player Ian Rush (5L) during a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 21/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool's (left-right) Glen Johnson, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard arrive for the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool 22/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool football club captain Steven Gerrard arrives for a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 23/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool football club player Glen Johnson arrives for a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 24/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Scarfs and balloons are placed in front of the Kop stand on the Anfield pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool 25/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The figure 96, made up of fans scarves, fills the centre circle before the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 26/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Hull City and Sheffield United players observe a minute of silence to mark the 25th anniversary for the Hillsborough disaster during the English FA Cup Semi-final match between Hull City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in London 27/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 28/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The teams of Reading and Leicester City respect a minutes silence for the Hillsborough victims before the Sky Bet Championship match at the Madejski Stadium, Reading 29/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The players take part in a minute silence to remember the Hillsborough disaster before the Sky Bet Championship match between Reading and Leicester City at the Madejski Stadium in Reading 30/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool scarves cover 96 seats in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago during the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 31/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 32/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 33/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Before their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield Stadium against Manchester City Liverpool supporters hold their scarves prior to a minute's silence in tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster of 25 years ago in Liverpool 34/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool's Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush receive wreath from Manchester City's Mike Summerbee (R ), Tony Book (L ) and Joe Corrigan (C back) to honour the ninety six Liverpool fans who lost their lives during an FA Cup semi final at Hillsborough in Sheffield 25 years ago, before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool vs Manchester City in Liverpool 35/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool fans hold up a banner in respect of the Hillsborough disaster ahead of their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 36/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Before their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield Stadium against Manchester City Liverpool supporters hold banners prior to a minute's silence in tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster of 25 years ago in Liverpool 37/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Jose Mourinho the Chelsea manager and his coaching staff observe a minute's silence to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales 38/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Captain Curtis Davies of Hull City carries a wreath to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final match between Hull City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in London 39/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fans in the Kop wave banners in memory of victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster before the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 40/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Players from both teams line up for a minutes silence in front of fans in the kop displaying cards to form a message in remembrance of the 96 Liverpool fans that lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool 41/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A boy stands next to floral tributes laid in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 42/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary View of floral tributes laid in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 43/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary People lay floral tribute in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 44/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary View of club scarves placed in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool 45/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fabio Borini of Sunderland lays a floral wreath is laid on the pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light in Sunderland 46/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A floral wreath is laid on the pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light in Sunderland 47/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A tribute is displayed on the scoreboard as a minute's silence is observed to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park in London 48/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary 96 blue seats at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough are replaced by 96 white seats to represent the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the Hillsborough disaster, during the Sky Bet Championship match at Hillsborough, Sheffield 49/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Football spectators observe a minutes silence for the 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster with a billboard in the background displaying the names of those who were killed, ahead of the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Newcastle United at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke on Trent 50/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Arsenal fans during a minutes remembrance next to the 96 seats that are being left empty as a tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans that lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster, are seen before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 1/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group march to Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool 2/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group march to Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool 3/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A woman walks past a Hillsborough tribute banner as fans arrive in Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool 4/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool fan wipes away tears during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 5/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool fan reacts during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 6/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group embrace as they arrive at Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool 7/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A man carrying flowers arrives at the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 8/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary British member of parliament Andy Burnham (C) arrives to attend a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 9/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the public and football fans gather together during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield 10/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Chairman Milan Mandaric lays a wreath during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield 11/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fans lay flowers by the Shankly gates before a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield in Liverpool 12/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Tommy Biggadike (2) whose grandfather Thomas Howard died in the tragedy arrives to lay flowers ahead of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield 13/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the public lay flowers before the screening of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Goodison Park in Liverpool 14/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Flowers are laid at the Hillsborough memorial outside Anfield to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool 15/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Football scarves are tied on the Shankly Gates at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 16/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A mourner stands next to the scarfs which are tied to the Shankly gates outside Anfield to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool 17/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A fan ties a scarf to the Shankly Gates at Anfield in Liverpool 18/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool supporter looks at the tributes ahead of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield 19/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A man holds up a scarf remembering those who have died in football disasters over the years during a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 20/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Everton's Spanish manager Roberto Martinez (top row L) and Liverpool football club players Steven Gerrard (3L), Daniel Agger (4R), Luis Suarez (3R), Daniel Sturridge (2R) and Glen Johnson (R) stand above former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish (bottom 3L) and former Liverpool player Ian Rush (5L) during a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 21/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool's (left-right) Glen Johnson, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard arrive for the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool 22/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool football club captain Steven Gerrard arrives for a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 23/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool football club player Glen Johnson arrives for a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 24/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Scarfs and balloons are placed in front of the Kop stand on the Anfield pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool 25/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The figure 96, made up of fans scarves, fills the centre circle before the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool 26/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Hull City and Sheffield United players observe a minute of silence to mark the 25th anniversary for the Hillsborough disaster during the English FA Cup Semi-final match between Hull City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in London 27/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 28/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The teams of Reading and Leicester City respect a minutes silence for the Hillsborough victims before the Sky Bet Championship match at the Madejski Stadium, Reading 29/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The players take part in a minute silence to remember the Hillsborough disaster before the Sky Bet Championship match between Reading and Leicester City at the Madejski Stadium in Reading 30/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool scarves cover 96 seats in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago during the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 31/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 32/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London 33/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Before their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield Stadium against Manchester City Liverpool supporters hold their scarves prior to a minute's silence in tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster of 25 years ago in Liverpool 34/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool's Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush receive wreath from Manchester City's Mike Summerbee (R ), Tony Book (L ) and Joe Corrigan (C back) to honour the ninety six Liverpool fans who lost their lives during an FA Cup semi final at Hillsborough in Sheffield 25 years ago, before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool vs Manchester City in Liverpool 35/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool fans hold up a banner in respect of the Hillsborough disaster ahead of their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 36/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Before their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield Stadium against Manchester City Liverpool supporters hold banners prior to a minute's silence in tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster of 25 years ago in Liverpool 37/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Jose Mourinho the Chelsea manager and his coaching staff observe a minute's silence to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales 38/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Captain Curtis Davies of Hull City carries a wreath to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final match between Hull City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in London 39/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fans in the Kop wave banners in memory of victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster before the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 40/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Players from both teams line up for a minutes silence in front of fans in the kop displaying cards to form a message in remembrance of the 96 Liverpool fans that lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool 41/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A boy stands next to floral tributes laid in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 42/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary View of floral tributes laid in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 43/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary People lay floral tribute in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool 44/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary View of club scarves placed in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool 45/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fabio Borini of Sunderland lays a floral wreath is laid on the pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light in Sunderland 46/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A floral wreath is laid on the pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light in Sunderland 47/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A tribute is displayed on the scoreboard as a minute's silence is observed to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park in London 48/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary 96 blue seats at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough are replaced by 96 white seats to represent the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the Hillsborough disaster, during the Sky Bet Championship match at Hillsborough, Sheffield 49/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Football spectators observe a minutes silence for the 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster with a billboard in the background displaying the names of those who were killed, ahead of the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Newcastle United at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke on Trent 50/50 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Arsenal fans during a minutes remembrance next to the 96 seats that are being left empty as a tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans that lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster, are seen before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: "This year marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Hillsborough tragedy and the families' long fight for justice."

"Not only is it the 25th anniversary of the tragedy but we also have the start of fresh inquests into how the 96 lost their lives."

"We will never forget those who died at Hillsborough, and this is a day for us to unite as a city and remember each one, and also their families and friends left behind."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones today."

Twenty-six thousand people were at Anfield for an emotional service to mark the anniversary of the disaster on April 15, 1989.

Brendan Rodgers, the current Liverpool manager, read Psalm 23 of the King James Bible, “The Lord is my shepherd”. Roberto Martinez, manager of neighbours and city rivals Everton, also read at the service.

Liverpool footballers past and present attended the ceremony, including the current squad.

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Labour politician, Andy Burnham, who was booed by a crowd of supporters when he addressed them in 2009 as the then serving Labour minister for culture, media and sport, also made a speech.

In a celebration inspired by the one-mile chain of scarves between Goodison Park and Anfield, created a week after the disaster and started by the then Everton star Ian Snodin, scarves were laid out on the Anfield turf in the shape of the number 96.

The scarves have been donated by clubs across England, Wales and Ireland after Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, who was Liverpool manager at the time of the disaster and has a long association with the families' campaign for justice, wrote to clubs asking them to show solidarity on the anniversary.

The ceremonies come after a weekend of events to mark the anniversary. The FA delayed the kick-offs of all games this weekend in the FA Cup, Premier League, Football League and Conference by seven minutes to respect the 96 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster.

There were emotional scenes at Anfield as Liverpool, who are currently chasing their first Premier League title for 24 years, met Manchester City in their title clash.

The anniversary comes amid a new inquest into the deaths of the 96 Liverpool supporters which is being carried out in a converted courtroom in Warrington.

Proceedings have been halted during the anniversary week.

Some of those present at today's memorial are witnesses in the new inquest into Britain's worst sporting disaster. The original accidental deaths verdicts in 1991 were quashed in the High Court in 2012 after a long campaign by the fans' families.

The Director of Public Prosecutions last year said he is looking at new evidence revealed by the Hillsborough Independent Panel which could see senior police officers and officials in charge of the Hillsborough football stadium face trial for manslaughter.