Liverpool Makes Historic Gesture to Honour Diogo Jota’s Legacy After Striker’s Death

• Liverpool are still hit by the tragic death of star forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva
• Jota and his brother passed away after a fatal car accident in Zamora, Spain, on Thursday, July 3
• The Premier League champions have made a move to immortalise the life of their lad from Portugal

Liverpool have made a bold move to immortalise the life and memories of Diogo Jota after their striker tragically passed away in a car accident in Spain on Thursday, July 3, 2020.

Jota and his brother André Silva died in a car accident after their Lamborghini Huracan caught fire on impact after losing control while overtaking another vehicle.

The Portuguese forward was due to report for pre-season training on Friday, July 4 and was on his way to a port in Santander to catch a ferry to England that morning.

According to Goal, he was advised against flying because he recently had lung surgery, and on a few occasions, preferred to travel by road because of his pulmonary issues.

The brothers were buried on Saturday, July 5, in their hometown of Gondomar. Liverpool and Portugal players and dignitaries attended their funeral.

Liverpool retire number 20

There were calls from fans on social media for Liverpool to immortalise the number 20, which the former Portugal international wore during his five years at the club.

Liverpool confirmed in an official statement that they have heeded the fans’ call, which resonates with the club's sentiment and have retired the number 20 jersey across all levels.

It was the first time the club had bestowed the honour on any player in their history and first consulted the late player's widow, Rute Cardoso and his family before doing so.

“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20,” FSG CEO of football, Michael Edwards said.

“As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”

The number 20, which is currently worn by Yaya Daniels in the Women's team, will be vacated, and no other player at all levels of the academy will ever wear it again.

“The fact that in the long and storied history of our club this honour has never previously been bestowed shows the significance of Diogo to Liverpool Football Club,” the club owners jointly said.

“His memory and contribution will be immortalised by his association with the number 20.”

The gesture was applauded by fans and even rivals on social media, hailing the class shown by the club to immortalise the player.

Eyewitness disputes police report

Legit.ng previously reported that an eyewitness disagreed with the police report, which claimed that the brothers were speeding when the accident which claimed their lives happened.

A truck driver, Jose Azevedo, who was on the road at the time the accident happened, claimed that the brothers were moving at a normal pace as he saw everything clearly.

Source: Legit.ng