Liverpool to Honour Diogo Jota at EPL Opener, ‘Forever 20’ Shirt Unveiled

Liverpool FC will pay a lasting tribute to former forward Diogo Jota at their Premier League season opener against AFC Bournemouth at Anfield tonight, following his tragic death in a car crash last month.

The club has confirmed a series of poignant commemorations, with players set to wear a specially-designed “Forever 20” emblem on their match shirts and stadium jackets throughout the entire 2025/26 season.

Jota, 28, and his brother, André Silva, died in a car accident in Spain on July 3, just weeks after Jota had married his longtime girlfriend. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the football world and left a deep void within the Liverpool family.

In consultation with Jota’s family, the club has already taken the unprecedented step of retiring his number 20 shirt across all levels of the club, a move described by FSG CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, as a “unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.”

Ahead of tonight’s match, a minute of silence will be observed at Anfield, and fans are expected to participate in a large-scale mosaic tribute to honour the beloved player. Manager Arne Slot and the squad have been vocal about the emotional toll of the loss, with players wearing tribute patches during pre-season games.

Beyond the pitch, the club has announced plans for a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield, which will be created using tributes left by fans. A commemorative t-shirt featuring a touching design of Jota and his iconic “heart” gesture is also available for purchase, with all profits going to the LFC Foundation to fund a new grassroots football program in his name.