The Champions League draw which pitched Juventus with Liverpool, revived unpleasant memories of the last occasion these sides met in the competition.
It is 20 years since the teams met at the Heysel Stadium at which 39 fans, most of them Italian supporters, died at the 1985 final after a wall collapsed following a charge by Liverpool fans. Juventus won the game 1-0.
The tragedy led to English clubs being banned from Europe for five years.
“It’s a long time since we played,” Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry told Reuters.
“We tried one or two times to play friendlies but it just didn’t work out.
“I’d say there’s a great relationship between the clubs now and even between the supporters.
“It was all a long time ago. It’s never something you forget, but I’d say everyone will be more focussed on the football now and it’s a very challenging tie.”
