Greg . 6 days ago

Liverpool confirm plans for permanent memorial sculpture to honour Diogo Jota

Liverpool are to create a permanent tribute to remember former player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who passed away in a car crash earlier this month, the Premier League champions revealed on Saturday.

Father of three, Jota, passed away alongside his brother on July 3rd, 11 days after marrying his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, after their car came off the road and exploded into flames in northern Spain.

A large number of tributes in the shape of flowers, scarves, cards and jerseys have been left at Anfield, which Liverpool said would create the basis for 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," the club 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 assist create a permanent memorial sculpture that will become a future focal point of remembrance at Anfield.

"The club also said that players will have a 'Forever 20' emblem - referencing Jota's now-retired shirt number - printed on their shirts and stadium jackets for the season.

Liverpool paid tribute to Jota and Silva during their friendly at Preston a fortnight ago and will grip their main commemoration, which will contain a fan mosaic and a minute of silence, before they kick off the new season at home to Bournemouth on August 15th.