Nyon, Switzerland - European football boss Michel Platini said that the utmost will be done not to make Liverpool play a Champions League match on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.

Platini said in a UEFA statement issued on Monday that he sympathises with Liverpool and that UEFA will take the April 15, 1989, tragedy into account when the dates for the quarter-final pairings are decided.

The quarter-final draw is made on Friday, which April 7/8 and 14/15 the match dates. Liverpool have asked UEFA not to play on April 15, but UEFA has so far not officially granted the request.

On April 15, 1989, 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death in an overcrowded stand in the Sheffield stadium at the team's FA semi-final with Nottingham Forest.

"We are aware of the huge significance of the 15 April date for both Liverpool and their fans, and that is why we will do our utmost to make sure that the club does not have to play its Champions League second leg quarter-final match on that day," Platini said.

"I have been in regular correspondence with Liverpool on this matter for some time now and fully sympathise with the club's feelings as to the importance of respecting the date of 15 April for those who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

"This being the 20th anniversary of that tragic disaster in 1989 makes it even more relevant and we will take this into account."

Liverpool have never played on April 15 after the tragedy. (dpa)