Liverpool have formally announced that they would retire the number 20 shirt in honour of late forward Diogo Jota.

The Reds announced this on their X platform yestedrday Friday, July 11 after consulting with Jota's wife Rute Cardoso and his family which means the Portugal international "will forever be Liverpool's number 20".

The decison comes after the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of the Portuguese star and his brother, Andre Silva who died near Zamora, Spain, on in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, at approximately 12:35 a.m. local time.

In a statement released by Liverpool statement, it noted that the number "will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels", including the women's team and throughout the academy.

They added: "The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds' on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his team-mates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them."

Marking their 20th top-flight crown , the reiterated their commitment to retiring the jersey. And in a video shared on X at 20:20 BST on Friday they wrote,

"As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters - and we felt the same way," said Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football, Michael Edwards.

"It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo's wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.

"I believe this is the first time in Liverpool's history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.

"By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal - and therefore never to be forgotten."

20th top-flight crown means that a football team has won its national top division league title for the 20th time in its history.

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in September 19, 2020 in an alleged £41 million deal potentially rising to £45 million with add-ons and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club.

He played for Liverpool for almost five years in a deal that was set to expire in 2027.

In 182 appearances,he notched 65 goals, and provided 26 times across all competitions. His final match was on May 25, 2025, and his last goal came on April 2, 2025, in a Merseyside derby win over Everton.

He also helped them win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, also winning the latter in 2024 - and the Premier League title last season.

The funeral of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva,took place on July 5, at 10 a.m. local time in the Portuguese town of Gondomar.

Jota's wife attends Anfield tributes

Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, members of the brothers' family and Liverpool's squad all visited Anfield on Friday to pay their respects.

Cardoso had three children with the Portugal international and the pair had married only 11 days prior to his accident.

She was seen carrying flowers at Anfield as she viewed the wealth of tributes that have been left outside the stadium in honour of Jota and his brother.