Members of the Israeli branch of the Liverpool Supporters’ Club joined the Anfield service marking the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. In remembrance of the 96 fans who were crushed to death on the terraces at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, the Israelis brought flowers and a message of solidarity with those who had lost loved ones.

Head of branch Dotan Segall said: “There is a big support for Liverpool thanks to the tradition of Israelis playing for the club.

“There was a member of our supporters’ club who was staying with family in England before the [Hillsborough] game and was planning to go. But at the last minute, he decided to visit some other family instead.”

Another message came from the Merseyside Jewish Representative Council, which could not send a delegate because of Pesach.

Also absent on religious grounds was Old Hebrew Congregation member Dr Sonia Goldrein, who was closely involved with several of the affected families when working at a surgery on the northern edge of the city.

Dr Goldrein recalled “three families who were very traumatised, one particularly, whose son died.

“I had to be not only the doctor but an emotionally supportive counsellor,” she explained.

“It was naturally horrendous for them and the trauma spilled over to me.”