In images shared by LIverpool FC's official account, Alisson Becker embraced Cody Gakpo before he laid a bouquet of flowers at the memorial site
In images shared by Liverpool FC, Alisson Becker embraces Cody Gakpo as Andrew Robertson comforts Mohamed Salah as the squad paid tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
In images shared by Liverpool FC, Alisson Becker embraces Cody Gakpo as Andrew Robertson comforts Mohamed Salah as the squad paid tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The Liverpool FC squad united this evening to show their support for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. The football world has been in mourning since the brothers died in a car accident last week.
They had been travelling across Spain to catch a ferry to return to the United Kingdom ahead of the start of the Reds' pre-season when the tragic incident occurred. The brothers were laid to rest at a service in their home city of Gondomar on Saturday (July 5). A delegation of Liverpool FC players were in attendance at the funeral in Portugal to pay their tributes.
Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson led the delegation and carried floral tributes bearing the shirt numbers of Jota and Silva in memory of the brothers. The full squad united today outside Anfield as the team paid tribute to Jota and Silva. Images shared on the club's official account showed how the squad lay flowers in honour of the brothers in the memorial site at L4.
One image shows Alisson Becker embrace Cody Gakpo before he lays a bouquet of flowers in memory of Jota and Silva. A clip shared on the club's official account shows the players as they lay a red and white flowers on the memorial site.
The clip was captioned: "For Diogo and Andre." Mohamed Salah is comforted by Robertson in the clip that has been shared on the club's social media account.
The Liverpool FC squad were joined by Diogo Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, and members of the brothers' family as they paid tribute at the memorial site on Friday evening. The images were shared on the club's Instagram channel with the caption: "Our squad and staff paid their respects to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at Anfield today, alongside members of the brothers’ family."
Liverpool have also tonight announced they will retire the number 20 shirt in honour of Jota. The Portuguese forward made the shirt number his own since he joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020.
After consultation with Jota’s family, the club have now taken the decision to permanently retire the shirt in honour of the Portuguese. Announced at 20.20 on Friday night, the retirement will apply to the club at all levels, including the men’s first team, women’s team and the Reds’ various Academy sides.
Liverpool have never retired a shirt number before, with Jota posthumously receiving the honour as the club pays a unique tribute to a unique player.
The club have taken the decision with the move not only a reflection of Jota’s contributions to Liverpool as a player, which saw him help the Reds win the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in five years at Anfield, but also the profound personal impact he made on teammates, colleagues and supporters.
Liverpool will play their first match since Jota’s passing on Sunday 13 July when they travel to Preston North End. On Friday, the two clubs announced a number of tributes planned in honour of Jota and Silva that will take place at Deepdale ahead of kick-off.
Supporters attending the match have been asked to be in their seats by 2.45pm ahead of the 3pm kick-off as a mark of respect to the two brothers, with tributes then getting underway at roughly 2.50pm.
Claudia Rose Maguire – wife of former Preston player Sean – will first sing a rendition of Can’t Help Falling In Love, which will then be followed by Liverpool’s anthem of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
While the latter is sung, North End captain Ben Whiteman will lay a wreath in front of the visiting supporters in the Bill Shankly Kop, ahead of a minute’s silence just before kick-off. During the minute’s silence, digital tributes will be displayed on the big screen and across LEDs at Deepdale.