Culture secretary Andy Burnham's speech was alternately applauded and barracked by those at the memorial service.

He said: "Hillsborough has left deep wounds that will never heal. Its horror is not diminished by the passage of time.

"Its legacy is that young and old will forever be safer at matches."

However, his speech was interrupted by chants of "Justice for the 96", reflecting the Government's refusal to hold a fresh inquiry into the tragedy.

Trevor Hicks, who stepped down as chairman of Hillsborough Family Support Group four years ago, stood in for current chairman Phil Hammond, who suffered a brain haemorrhage on New Year's Day.

He won one of the loudest cheers of the afternoon when he said: "We're still here, still together, and resolved that the truth will defeat the lies and propaganda that surround Hillsborough."

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Steve Rotheram, also saluted "the heroics of those Liverpool fans whose activities saved thousands of lives."

Current players Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher handed over a Freedom of the City scroll to Mr Hicks, to the sound of the current commemorative song The Fields of Anfield Road.

The service concluded with Gerry Marsden singing You'll Never Walk Alone.