Liverpool Football Club has unveiled a permanent memorial to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at Anfield, following their tragic deaths in a car crash last July. The sculpture, titled 'Forever 20', was designed by renowned artist Emma Rodgers and placed on 97 Avenue at Anfield Stadium.
Details of the Memorial
The memorial features a flowing heart sculpture at its centre, acknowledging Jota's iconic goal celebration. Viewed from different angles, it reveals the numbers 20 and 30, which adorned the brothers' playing shirts. The sculpture also includes lyrics from Jota's chant, hand-carved along its fluid lines. Physical tributes left by fans, such as scarves and shirts, have been set in wax and embedded into the structure, while a single bronze-cast flower and a PlayStation controller are incorporated into the stone plinth.
Club Statement and Fan Tributes
Liverpool FC stated that the memorial 'celebrates their lives, their bond, and the love and respect felt by family, teammates and supporters across the world.' The club retired Jota's No.20 shirt at all levels and fans continue to chant his name in the 20th minute of every match. The memorial serves as 'a permanent symbol of love, unity and remembrance,' according to the club.
