Liverpool have requested that UEFA consider their plea to bring forward the date of the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final should the five-time winners get past Real Madrid.

 

The match is scheduled for 15^th April which also happens to be the 20^th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster at which 96 fans lost their lives. A memorial service is planned for that day and the Anfield club has asked UEFA to reschedule the fixture for 14^th were they to be involved. Liverpool first brought this to UEFA’s attention when the fixture dates were set at the start of the season and the governing body of European football has already indicated that, should Liverpool progress to that stage, they will seek to assist if at all possible.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard could make his comeback much sooner than anticipated after manager Rafa Benitez indicated that his captain could possibly be involved in the game against Manchester City at the weekend. Gerrard picked up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup defeat at the hands of local rivals Everton a fortnight ago. An early comeback will boost Liverpool ahead of the vital pair of matches against real in the Champions League. Benitez said "Maybe he could be on the bench against City but we don't know. He wants to play every single game."