Liverpool icon Dalglish thanks Nottingham Forest for tribute to Hillsborough 97

The sides will resume their rivalry on Sunday evening in the FA Cup quarter-finals, almost 23 years after their last meeting, but there will be a more sobering setting to the match with thoughts on the 97.

It was during an FA Cup semi-final meeting between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in 1989 were 96 Reds fans lost their lives due to a crush in the Lepping Lane stand at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium.

That number was recently increased to 97 following the death of Andrew Devine at the age of 55, 32 years after suffering severe and irreversible brain damage as a result of the disaster.

And Forest will pay a touching tribute to those missed supporters when Liverpool visit the City Ground on Sunday - with live and exclusive commentary of the match on talkSPORT.

The home side will leave 97 seats empty in memory of the Liverpool supporters who died, with a banner draped over a section of the stands.

A statement from Forest read: "NEVER FORGOTTEN.

"97 seats will be left vacant in honour of those who lost their lives at our FA Cup semi final in 1989.

"We look forward to welcoming Liverpool FC to The City Ground."

Liverpool replied to their post with a message that read: "Thank you for your solidarity."

And Liverpool icon Dalglish was among those to praise the Championship club for their tribute.

Posting on Instagram, the Scottish legend said: "Thank you.

"From my perspective, your club was hugely respectful on the day and that will never be forgotten. #JFT97"

Sunday's game will be the first meeting between Liverpool and Forest in more than two decades, since Forest were relegated from the Premier League in 1999.

It was once one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in English football, which was ignited in the 1970s and continued into the 80s.

Liverpool and Forest met thirteen times in three seasons between 1978 and 1980 - including twice in the European Cup on the Tricky Trees' route to be crowned champions in 1979.

Brain Clough's team's famous run of back-to-back European Cups were front and centre of their rivalry with the Reds, with Bob Paisley's Liverpool crowned European champions in the two previous seasons and then winning the title back in 1981.

It also signalled a change for fortunes for both clubs, with Liverpool taking charge in the 80s - going on to lift 14 trophies in that decade - which Forest would fade.

But now the rivalry can finally resume, with Forest featuring at this stage of the FA Cup for the first time since 1996.

And Jurgen Klopp's men have ever reason to be wary - Steve Cooper's side have already knocked out Arsenal and holders Leicester, earning widespread praise for their performances, particularly in the 4-1 demolition of the Foxes.

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool in the FA Cup is LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on talkSPORT - Sunday, March 20 - Kick off: 18:00 GMT