Liverpool paid a moving tribute to the late Diogo Jota on Friday as the Premier League season kicked off at Anfield with an emotional curtain-raiser against Bournemouth.
Jota, 28, died last month alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car accident in northern Spain, just days after marrying Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children.
Before kick-off, Anfield fell silent for a minute’s reflection as supporters held up a giant mosaic depicting the brothers’ initials, their shirt numbers, and the Portuguese flag. At the front of The Kop, a huge banner read: “Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda – Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Liverpool confirmed that Jota’s iconic number 20 shirt has been permanently retired, and a sculpture will be erected outside Anfield in his honour. For the rest of the season, “Forever 20” will be printed on Liverpool’s shirts and matchday jackets.
In his programme notes, manager Arne Slot said the club would continue to stand by Jota’s wife and children: “The tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special. Tonight we come together once more to show his family that they will always have our love and support.”
Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, made a lasting impact at Anfield, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup in his five years with the club.
Written By Rodney Mbua
