Liverpool plan Diogo Jota memorial sculpture at Anfield and tribute emblem on playing shirts

Liverpool have unveiled plans for a memorial sculpture at Anfield as the focal point for a permanent tribute to Diogo Jota.

Arne Slot’s players will wear a ‘Forever 20’ emblem on their shirts and stadium jackets for the duration of the 2025-26 season and the LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity, will launch a grassroots football programme in Jota’s name.

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Thousands of tributes were left outside Anfield after Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in Spain earlier this month.

The memorial — including flowers, shirts, scarfs, hats, works of art, flags and banners — has been gradually removed by club staff over the course of the last week, separated and safely stored. Floral tributes are being composted and used in flower beds across all club sites.

The remaining artefacts will be recycled by a specialist company and used to help create the memorial sculpture. Liverpool are yet to commit to a specific design but a No 20 is among the options mooted.

In the meantime, a temporary area of reflection has been created outside Anfield’s Main Stand so supporters can continue to pay their respects.

During the pre-season tour of Asia, the players will take to the field with a specially designed ‘Diogo J 20’ patch on their shirts. Floral tributes will also be laid before kick-off at the friendly matches in Hong Kong, Yokohama and Anfield.

The ‘Forever 20′ emblem will feature on the bottom seem of the players’ new kit following the switch from Nike to Adidas on August 1. Supporters wanting to honour the Portugal international by having ‘Diogo J 20’ printed on the back of their shirts can get it done in club shops or via the official online store with all profits going to the LFC Foundation.

The main commemoration, including a special fan mosaic and a minute’s silence, is planned for the first game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday August 15.

Liverpool announced earlier this month that they were permanently retiring the No 20 shirt at all levels of the club in memory of Jota, who scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club.

(Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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