Liverpool Football Club has revealed the design of a permanent memorial honouring Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car crash in Spain last year. The sculpture, titled Forever 20, will stand on 97 Avenue outside Anfield's Main Stand, the exact location where thousands of supporters left flowers, scarves, and tributes following the siblings' deaths.
Design Features and Symbolic Elements
The centrepiece is a flowing heart sculpture that references Jota's iconic goal celebration during his five-year tenure with the Reds. Viewed from different angles, the artwork reveals the numbers 20 and 30—the shirt numbers worn by Jota and Silva during their playing careers. The memorial sits atop a Granby rock-faced stone plinth, which incorporates fan tributes from the mourning period through a recycling process, embedding the raw emotion of the fanbase into the physical structure.
The design extends beyond football to capture Jota's personality away from the pitch. A video game controller detail pays tribute to his well-known passion for gaming and eSports. Laser-engraved lyrics from his famous Anfield chant—sung by supporters during the 20th minute of every home game—are etched into the monument, ensuring his legacy remains part of matchday culture at the Premier League club.
Legacy and Club Tribute
The Portuguese forward's impact at Liverpool stretched beyond his 131 appearances and 41 goals. In a historic gesture, the club permanently retired the No. 20 shirt across the men's, women's, and academy teams earlier this year. This marks one of the rarest tributes in football, typically reserved for legendary figures who shaped entire eras of a club.
While no specific unveiling date has been announced, the club intends 97 Avenue to become a quiet space for reflection where supporters worldwide can remember the player who became synonymous with Liverpool's attacking prowess. The memorial stands as a lasting testimony to Jota's influence on the Merseyside institution and his bond with his brother.
