Steven Gerrard and Phil Jagielka stood shoulder-to-shoulder and paid a poignant tribute by releasing 96 red balloons in memory of Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough. Wednesday marked the 26th anniversary of the disaster that unfolded during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest and the annual memorial service was typically poignant and emotional. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, chief executive Ian Ayre and the entire Liverpool squad attended, along with a host of former players including Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Phil Thompson, Robbie Fowler, John Aldridge - who gave the second reading - and Jamie Carragher. There was also significant representation from Everton, with manager Roberto Martinez joining his captain Jagielka and club ambassador Graham Stuart, who also gave a reading. An inquest into the tragedy is ongoing and Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: ‘There is still a job to be done. Steven Gerrard (left) and Phil Jagielka (right) released 96 balloons at the 26th Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield . Supporters from both Liverpool and Everton stand together to pay respect to those who died . Liverpool captain Gerrard lost a family member during the Hillsborough disaster . The 96 balloons commemorate the 96 supporters who lost their lives at the Hillsborough disaster 26 years ago . Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was present alongside his team at the 26th Hillsborough anniversary at Anfield . Thousands of fans joined families  at Anfield for the 26th Hillsborough anniversary memorial service, along with the Liverpool squad . Scarfs and balloons were placed in front of the Kop as the families, fans, players and club legends arrived for the service . Liverpool captain  Gerrard pictured during the memorial service at Anfield for the 26th Hillsborough anniversary . Jordan Henderson (right) followed by Alberto Moreno (second right) and Mario Balotelli (fifth right) arrive for the service at Anfield . Joe Allen (right) greets supporters upon arriving at the Hillsborough memorial service as Fabio Borini (second right) looks on . Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho (left) and Emre Can pictured arriving at Anfield for service . Balotelli (left) pictured arriving for the service alongside Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho . Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is welcomed by supporters after arriving at the memorial service at Anfield . Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge arrive at Anfield (left) while Gerrard and Rodgers take their seats at Anfield . The eternal ring, which has names of the supporters who died at Hillsborough inscribed inside, pictured at Anfield . Balloons commemorating the 96 people who died at Hillsborough float next to the Kop during the memorial service . John Aldridge, a former Liverpool striker, addressed the crowd at the 26th Hillsborough anniversary . Liverpool manager Rodgers (centre) pays his respects along with the Liverpool squad during the memorial service . Balotelli pictured alongside Jose Enrique and other Liverpool squad members upon arriving at the memorial service at Anfield . Graham Stuart, a former Everton player, also addressed the crowd at the Hillsborough memorial service . John Bishop, a Liverpool supporter, was at Anfield to pay his respects to the 96 who died . Kenny Dalglish (left), Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre (centre) and  Rodgers mark the 26th Hillsborough anniversary . Daglish (left) and Ayre lay flowers at the memorial of the Hillsborough victims at Anfield . Tributes were laid on the pitch at Anfield to remember the 96 supporters that lost their lives . Flowers are laid at the side of the pitch to remember the 96 people who died at Hillsborough . Everton manager Roberto Martinez (left) arrives at Anfield for the service alongside Toffees defender and captain Jagielka . An Everton supporter pays his respects to the Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough 26 years ago .
Liverpool's squad were in attendance at Anfield to remember the 96 supporters who died at Hillsborough . They were joined by families of the victims, club legends and thousands of fans . Liverpool and Everton captains Steven Gerrard and Phil Jagielka released 96 ballons into the sky . Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe were with the first team squad at the Hillsborough memorial service .