Liverpool to pay tribute to Evertonian murder victim

Liverpool have confirmed they will pay their respects to murdered 11-year-old Rhys Jones by playing the 'Z-Car's theme' ahead of tonight’s Champions League qualifying clash with Toulouse at Anfield.

The piece of music, also known as 'Johnny Todd', is used by city rivals Everton to accompany the team’s emergence from the tunnel at Goodison Park.

But, in honour of Everton fan Rhys, who was shot dead in the Croxteth area of the city last Wednesday, it will be played ahead of the Reds’ traditional pre-match anthem, 'You’ll Never Walk Alone', this evening.

The move was taken after a suggestion in the Liverpool Echo met with massive public support.

A minute’s applause will also be held, while the home side’s players will wear black armbands during tonight’s game.

Rhys’s uncle Neil Jones told Liverpool website www.liverpoolfc.tv: “When I told them (his parents) about the proposed tribute at Anfield, Melanie (Rhys’s mother) said playing 'Johnny Todd' at Anfield would be a unique event, a complete one-off, just like Rhys, and a fitting tribute to him as it was his favourite tune.

“She’s also pretty sure he’ll have a little mischievous grin on his face at the thought of being the cause of it.”