“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’s number 20,” a club statement said.





Jota wore the No 20 shirt during his five years at Anfield (Getty Images)

“After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy.

Liverpool to permanently retire Diogo Jota's No 20 shirt from all their teams to honour his memory - as club make historic decision after speaking to his wife and family	Liverpool retire No. 20 jersey in memory of Jota	Liverpool retire number 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota

“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 teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them.”

Michael Edwards, CEO of football at Liverpool’s owners FSG, 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.

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 have also confirmed that tributes will be paid to Jota and Andre Silva on Sunday before and during the club’s first match since their deaths.



Jota's No 20 shirt will be retired by the club (Getty Images)Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk carried a ‘20’ wreath at Jota’s funeral (REUTERS)

Arne Slot’s side face Championship club Preston North End at Deepdale in their opening pre-season fixture, 10 days after Jota and Silva died in a car accident in Spain.

A minute’s silence will take place, along with a rendition of the Liverpool anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ while Preston captain Ben Whiteman will lay a wreath in front of the visiting fans and both teams will wear black armbands.

There will also be digital tributes on the big screen and the pitch-side electronic advertising hoardings, while the commemorative edition of the matchday programme will include pieces on both footballers and will be free to supporters with a ticket.

There are also tributes to Jota, who scored 65 goals in 182 games over a five-year Liverpool career, at Anfield and former captain Steven Gerrard laid flowers on Friday as he paid his respects.

Father of three Jota, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the accident, died alongside his brother after a Lamborghini they were travelling in burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday, July 3.

Reds manager Arne Slot attended last Saturday's funeral, along with club captain Virgil van Dijk and team-mates including Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez.