Gerrard's plea for Rhys witnesses

Aug 29 2007

England footballer Steven Gerrard today joined the appeal for witnesses to the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones.

Liverpool captain Gerrard, 27, urged witnesses to come forward and help find those responsible for the “terrible” crime.

He also spoke about how everybody in the city of Liverpool has been affected by the tragedy.

Gerrard, who grew up on the Bluebell estate in Huyton, close to the Croxteth Park home of Rhys and his family, described last night’s scenes at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium as “fantastic”.

Before Liverpool’s game against Toulouse, Rhys’s parents Melanie, 41, and Stephen, 44, stood on the touchline alongside their eldest son Owen, 17.

The family, who are season ticket holders at Premiership rivals Everton, were applauded by 44,000 supporters as Merseyside’s footballing rivalry was set aside in place of grief.

In a statement released by Merseyside Police, Gerrard said: “The reception that Rhys’s family got at Anfield last night was fantastic and showed that everyone in the city has been affected by this tragic event.

“I would appeal to anyone, who has any information at all, to please contact the police and help find those who were responsible for this terrible crime.”