Liverpool confirm Diogo Jota's number 20 shirt will be retired after star's tragic death

Liverpool will retire the No 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota.The Reds will make the gesture for the first time in the club’s history as the number will now remain the Portuguese forward’s forever.

Jota, 28, and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car crash last week as the player made his way back to Merseyside for pre-season training. The significant gesture will see the shirt number retired at all levels of the club - including the men’s senior side, women’s, U21s and academy level.

Liverpool made the decision after consultation with Diogo’s wife, Rute, and family. They believe the remarkable and touching move is the right thing to do not only for his contribution as a player but the impact he made on everyone at the club including his team-mates, staff and supporters.

“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way,” said Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of Football.

“It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.

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“I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.

“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20. As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”

Jota won the Premier League, FA Cup and two League Cups after he joined from Wolves in 2020. He had previously helped Wolves to the Championship title in 2018. At international level, he won two Nations Leagues with his country.

Liverpool’s first-team squad visited Anfield on Friday and laid roses at the tribute site outside of the ground in honour of Jota. Manager Arne Slot was also there, as well as coaching staff.

The club and Preston will also pay tribute to Jota ahead of Sunday's friendly at Deepdale - which will be shown on ITV 1. The Reds will take to the pitch for the first time since their Portuguese forward died.

Liverpool players returned to pre-season training this week as they prepare for the new campaign. The Reds statement said: “Ahead of the 3pm BST kick-off, there will be a rendition of LFC anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone and the home club will lay a wreath alongside the away supporters.

“A minute’s silence will be observed in Diogo and Andre’s memory and digital tributes will be displayed on the screen and across pitchside LEDs. Both sets of players will wear black armbands.

“Preston have also created a commemorative edition of the matchday programme that features written tributes to Diogo and Andre.”

Preston have made the programme free and will distribute copies to all supporters in attendance. A Preston statement said: "Supporters are kindly asked to be in their seats by 2.45pm on matchday as a mark of respect to the late brothers, who continue to be mourned by Liverpool FC and the football community as a whole.

"At approximately 2.50pm, the pre-match tribute will begin as Claudia Rose Maguire – wife of former PNE player Sean – will sing a rendition of Can’t Help Falling In Love, followed by Liverpool’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.

"As the latter is being performed, Ben Whiteman will lay a wreath in front of the visiting supporters in the Bill Shankly Kop, ahead of a minute’s silence just before kick-off when digital tributes will be displayed on the big screen and across LEDs. Both sets of players will wear black armbands.

"The club are also offering a free 16-page matchday programme, dedicated to Diogo and Andre, to all supporters with a match ticket on the day. There will be multiple members of staff around the ground handing out the programmes, so please take a copy on your way into the stadium."

Summer signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili could make their first appearances for Liverpool but the strength of Slot’s squad is not known yet.

Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman could also return to Deepdale after leaving Preston this summer following the expiration of his contract to join up with the Reds.

Liverpool will then head to Asia to continue their preparations with games against AC Milan in Hong Kong and Yokohama FM in Japan before two games against Athletic Bilbao on the same day at Anfield on August 4.