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Liverpool have officially retired the number 20 shirt worn with distinction by Diogo Jota during his time with the Reds.

After Jota’s untimely and tragic death last week, fans had been calling for the club to bestow the ultimate honour on the Portuguese.

Liverpool have never before taken a shirt number out of circulation, with only a handful of clubs in the country having done so.

However, for Jota, the gesture felt entirely fitting.

The 28-year-old has become synonymous with the number having also helped Liverpool earn their 20th league title in May.

Thankfully, the Reds have heeded the calls, and after discussion with Jota’s family, have decided to retire the number 20 across all levels of the club.

And as they announced the universally popular decision on Friday evening, Liverpool added a touch of class which fans may not have seen.

Photo by Liverpool FC – Handout/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

It was not only that 20 was Jota’s shirt number, and the amount of league titles Liverpool have won, the former Wolves man also joined the club in 2020.

It all fits together beautifully.

And Liverpool recognised this further as they waited until 20 past eight on Friday evening to announce their decision.

20.20.

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“Forever our number 20…” read the accompanying caption, alongside a video of the Jota memorial at Anfield and a voiceover from the man himself.

With an acoustic performance of Jota’s song playing in the background, it was enough to bring anyone to tears.

READ MORE: Liverpool confirm what tributes will take place for Diogo Jota during Sunday’s game against Preston

The poignant video was also 1 minute 20 seconds in length, with this no doubt a deliberate decision from the Liverpool media team.

Brilliant work by all involved, and a truly fitting way to honour a player who will simply never be forgotten.

Ever since the devastating news of Jota’s death broke on Thursday morning, Liverpool have handled everything with complete care and class.

The Reds are no strangers to tragedy, and there is no playbook for this kind of thing, but Liverpool have now created one.

The club are still yet to post anything unrelated to Jota in more than a week, and have displayed kindness, sensitivity and respect throughout.

As fans grieve a truly loved player, Liverpool have made their supporters proud with their handling of such a tragic situation.

The decision to put this particular video out at a time which mirrors Jota’s legacy will not make the pain any less, and will perhaps matter little in the long run.

But it is often the small things which really make a difference, and Liverpool deserve praise for making all the right moves in the face of such anguish.


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