2 months ago
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Liverpool have taken the unprecedented step of permanently retiring the Number 20 jersey from each of their club’s teams to honour Diogo Jota’s memory.
Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, and members of his family visited the floral memorial that has been laid at Anfield in the week since the striker and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car crash in Northern Spain.
They were joined by Liverpool’s squad, who returned to training on Tuesday and who will play for the first time since the tragedy at Preston on Sunday, where a minute’s silence will be observed.
Both teams will wear black armbands and the Championship club will lay a wreath in front of the away end.
Jota was an enormously popular player, not just for his talent - his six Premier League goals in the title winning campaign were responsible for boosting Liverpool’s tally by six points - but for his qualities as a man; he was someone who made friends easily and inspired those around him with his attitude.
For that reason, Liverpool have moved to take his number out of service. It is the first time in their history they have made such a decision and it is a reflection of the measure in which he was held.
Liverpool have retired their No 20 squad number following the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota
The 28-year-old wore the number during a five-year Anfield career and netted 65 goals for the side
The death of Jota and his brother Andre has shocked the footballing world and tributes have been paid to the siblings at Anfield
Reds stars including Mohamed Salah looked emotional as they looked on at the tributes to their team-mate and friend
There was talk immediately after the fatal accident that Liverpool would retire the number 20 but they only took this step after consultation with his widow and his family.
It is widely acknowledged that this is a unique honour for a unique player, simply because Liverpool have extended the retirement to all levels: from the men’s first team, to the women’s side and all male and female Academy teams.
