Everton and Man Utd semi-final players to wear black armbands in honour of Hillsborough victims

At the same time, city leaders are in talks with their counterparts at Nottingham and Sheffield councils to try and set up an inter-city schools football competition in memory of those who died in 1989.

The semi-final tie between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was abandoned minutes after kick-off when overcrowding at the Leppings Lane end led to the death of 96 fans.

Everton spokesman Ian Ross said: "It would be fitting and right to mark the event in this way in light of the game falling on the 20th anniversary.

"It was a tragedy which touched both sides of the city."

The semi-final armband tribute coincides with a number of other high-profile events taking place around the city to mark the anniversary.

The Anglican cathedral's bells will peel at 3.06pm on April 15 - the exact time the game was abandoned.

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A memorial recording of the Kop anthem Fields Of Anfield Road has also been recorded with an extra verse commemorating the tragedy.

Council opposition leader Cllr Joe Anderson said he wrote to the FA and the clubs to request they make the gesture.

He said: "It is important to mark the anniversary.

"There were Evertonians who lost family and friends on the day, and it is a matter not only of paying our respects but also reminding people justice has not yet been done for the 96."

Margaret Aspinall, of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said she was delighted to hear the two teams would be joining in the commemorations.

Her son James was 18 and at his first-ever away game when he lost his life.

She said: "We are very pleased. I believe this should be done at all games, because our loved ones lost their lives to make stadiums safer for us all."

A council spokesman said: "We can confirm we are currently looking at instigating a tripartite memorial cup in memory of those who died."

A spokesman for the FA confirmed the armband tribute would take place at the Everton and Manchester United game.