Premier League champions Liverpool have announced plans to create a permanent memorial at Anfield to commemorate the lives of former forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car accident earlier this month.
Jota, a father of three, lost his life alongside Silva on July 3, just 11 days after marrying his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso.
The fatal crash occurred in northern Spain when their car veered off the road and caught fire.
Supporters have since turned Anfield into a site of remembrance, leaving behind an array of flowers, scarves, cards, and jerseys.
According to the club, these heartfelt tributes will play a central role in the creation of the permanent monument.
“The thousands of physical tributes outside Anfield have been gradually removed over the course of the last week and carefully separated and safely stored,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“Floral tributes will then be composted and used in flower beds across all club sites.
“The remaining artefacts will be recycled by a specialist company and used to help create a permanent memorial sculpture that will become a future focal point of remembrance at Anfield.”
As part of the tribute, the club confirmed that players will wear a “Forever 20” emblem, a nod to Jota’s retired shirt number, on their kits and stadium jackets throughout the upcoming season.
A smaller tribute was already held during a friendly match at Preston two weeks ago, but Liverpool’s main commemoration will take place ahead of their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 15. T
he occasion will include a fan mosaic and a minute’s silence to honour both men.
