"This number will be retired in honor and memory of Diogo Jota": Liverpool retires its No. 20 forever in tribute to the late footballer

Liverpool announced Friday that the number 20 shirt worn by Portuguese striker Diogo Jota, who died in a road accident earlier this month, would be retired from all of the English club's squads.

"It was the number he wore with pride and honor, leading us to countless victories. And Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool Football Club's No. 20," the Reds announced in a statement.

Excessive speed to blame?

"After consulting with his wife, Rute, and his family, the club can announce that this number will be retired in honor and memory of Diogo at all levels of the club, including the women's team and the training center," they added.

The 28-year-old Portuguese international striker and his younger brother André, 25 , also a professional footballer in the Portuguese second division, were killed in a road accident on the night of July 2-3 while driving on a highway in the province of Zamora, in northwest Spain.

Excessive speed was probably the cause of the accident, according to the first elements of the investigation made public this week by the Civil Guard.

Liverpool will play their first pre-season friendly at second-tier Preston North End on Sunday, where many tributes are planned to honor the memory of Diogo Jota, who joined the club in 2020.