Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and club legend Kenny Dalglish joined Margaret Aspinall at Melwood on Thursday to share their mutual excitement for next month's 'Celebration of the 96' event.

The occasion, organised by the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) with support from LFC to celebrate the lives of the 96 supporters who lost their lives at Hillsborough in the year of the 25th anniversary, will take place at Anfield on Monday, April 21.

In addition to a range of activities across the day, the highlight promises to be a 90-minute charity match between local Reds legends, managed by Dalglish, and a squad of international legends led by Gerard Houllier.

Among the stellar names already confirmed to be participating are: John Barnes, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler, Luis Garcia, Dietmar Hamann, Steve McManaman, Jan Molby, Ian Rush and Vladimir Smicer.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and £5 for children, with all funds raised from the event to be split equally between the HFSG, of which Aspinall is chair, and the club's official charity, the Liverpool FC Foundation.

At a press conference from the Reds' training complex, the trio each discussed their anticipation for the special occasion, reflected on the continued support offered to the families and touched on the progress achieved in recent years.

Watch the video here »

Margaret Aspinall

"I got in touch with the club to try to do something in conjunction with the 25th anniversary. The club came up with the idea to get ex-players involved and it is going to be a really good day. We wanted to give something back to the city for all the support it has given us and the football club for 25 years, so we've suggested that we give half to the Hillsborough Family Support Group and half to the Liverpool FC Foundation - helping to put something back into the community. We want everybody to come along and raise as much as we can, to have a really good day and celebrate the lives of the 96.

"After the 25th anniversary, it's time to have a good day together and be united - we've had great support from Everton Football Club, we have to remember them because they've been fantastic. It will be a good day, not just for the families but for everyone who comes along. We've got to thank the club from the top to the bottom because they've worked so hard in organising this alongside us. The most important thing about the day is not just about people celebrating the lives of the 96; as long as everyone goes home and has really enjoyed themselves, it'll be something for them to remember. I'll certainly remember it - I'm really looking forward to it, and I know the families are."

Kenny Dalglish

"Everybody that wants to come along and play wants to play because they know the importance of Hillsborough. They might have put on a few inches; some might have lost a bit of pace; some of them never had any pace! On the day, they'll be trying their best to put on a show. We've got Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Peter Beardsley, Gary McAllister; I'm sure everybody that is asked will love to play. We're really looking forward to it. Gerard Houllier will be in charge of the other team.

"Everybody who possibly can be will be here. I don't think the players will want to embarrass the families or themselves, so they may not be as agile as they used to be - and I hope Gerard's team aren't as active as they used to be! - but they'll try and do their very best. They've got pride in themselves; they may have a laugh, a joke or do something stupid, but they won't want to embarrass themselves."

Steven Gerrard

"The support we have had, up and down the country, has been phenomenal. Hopefully we get a fantastic turnout on the day; I'll be there to enjoy the occasion and I'm sure that a lot of other first-team players will be there as well. Let's hope we can fill the stadium and make it a fantastic occasion. What is important is that we keep it on everyone's minds - how important it is - and everyone continues to show the fantastic support that they have done for many years.

"All of the players are religious when it comes to services - anything we are asked to do to support the campaign or any individuals to do with Hillsborough, we always make sure we do and give it our best. I'm sure all the players that are involved are going to try and put a spectacle on and give the fans stuff to cheer about. We're hoping for a celebratory atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

"I see a lot of the ex-players from game to game, and I'm still in touch with a lot of them, but I'm looking forward to seeing little Luis Garcia, who I haven't seen in the flesh for a long time. We've exchanged text messages and spoken on the phone, but I haven't seen him in the flesh since he left, so I'm looking forward to catching up with him. I know Luis will be itching to get over to see the supporters and I'm sure he'll want to play well, so it'll be great to see him."