Liverpool have announced plans to commemorate the life of Diogo Jota with a permanent memorial at Anfield, among other heartfelt tributes.
Since the tragic deaths of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, on July 3, thousands of Liverpool supporters have left flowers and tributes in their memory.
The club revealed that these items will be used to help create a permanent memorial sculpture, which “will become a future focal point of remembrance at Anfield.”
In the short term, Liverpool players will wear a specially designed patch displaying “Diogo J. 20” during their matches against AC Milan and Yokohama FM in Asia.
Flowers will also be laid before these games, as well as at Anfield for the upcoming friendly double-header against Athletic Bilbao.
For Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth, fans can expect a special mosaic tribute and a minute of silence in honor of Jota.
Additionally, the flowers brought to Anfield will be composted and used in flower beds across all club facilities.
Liverpool have further announced that supporters who wish to honour Diogo by having “Diogo J. 20” printed on the back of their official shirts can do so in club stores, with all profits going to the LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity.
The Foundation has also committed to creating a grassroots football program in Jota’s name.
This follows Liverpool’s earlier decision to retire the No. 20 shirt across the first team, women’s, and academy squads.
A club statement read: “Liverpool FC wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has taken the time, and continues to take the time, to leave tributes in honour of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at Anfield.
Since the brothers’ devastating passing, thousands of physical tributes – including flowers, scarves, works of art, cards, banners and opposition jerseys – have been placed to create a beautiful tribute area.
“The poignant memorial became a focal point for the collective grief felt by so many, including Liverpool’s squad and staff, who paid their respects alongside members of the brothers’ family.
“The club has already confirmed that after consultation with Diogo’s family, it will retire the number 20 shirt in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels of the club, including LFC Women and the Academy.
“The club is now able to provide details on how it will create more permanent tributes moving forward. The thousands of physical tributes outside Anfield have been gradually removed over the course of the last week and carefully separated and safely stored.
“Floral tributes will then be composted and used in flower beds across all club sites, including Anfield, the AXA Training Centre and AXA Melwood Training Centre. The remaining artefacts will be recycled by a specialist company and used to help create a permanent memorial sculpture that will become a future focal point of remembrance at Anfield.
“In the meantime, a temporary area of reflection has been created at Anfield so people can continue to pay their respects.
“If supporters would like to honour Diogo by having ‘Diogo J. 20’ printed on the back of their shirt in official club stores or via our official online store, all profits will go to LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity. The Foundation has committed to creating a grassroots football programme in Diogo’s name.
“Supporters will also have the chance to pay their respects during all pre-season games, including the return to Anfield on August 4 for a double-header against La Liga side Athletic Club. For the two pre-season games on tour in Asia, the players’ shirts will include a specially designed patch that will display ‘Diogo J. 20’. A floral tribute will also be laid before kick-off at the games in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Anfield.
“When LFC’s new kits are launched on August 1, players will display their own tribute with a specially made ‘Forever 20’ emblem printed into their shirts and stadium jackets, which will remain in place for the season.
“The main commemoration, including a special fan mosaic and a minute of silence, is being planned for the first game of the Premier League season, against AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday August 15. Further details will be shared with supporters in due course.
“Once again, the club would like to thank everyone for their continued support.”
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