Liverpool retire number 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota

Liverpool have confirmed they will retire the number 20 shirt worn by Diogo Jota following the forward's death.

Jota, along with his brother Andre Silva, who played for Portuguese club Penafiel, was killed in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora last Thursday.

Tributes have since poured in for Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolves in September 2020 and won four trophies with the Reds, including their 20th top-flight title last season.

Following consultation with Jota's family, including his wife Rute, Liverpool have decided to permanently retire his squad number across all the club's teams, including the women's and academy sides.

A statement from the club read: "It was the number he wore with pride and distinction, leading us to countless victories in the process – and Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool Football Club's number 20.

"The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds' on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his team-mates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them."

Michael Edwards, who serves as chief executive of football for Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group, said: "As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way.

"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.

"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."

Liverpool will play their first game since Jota's passing on Sunday, when they face Preston North End in a friendly at Deepdale.

The two clubs have confirmed a series of tributes to Jota, including a pre-match rendition of Liverpool's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone', as well as a minute's silence and a display featuring virtual tributes from supporters.