Liverpool marked the first anniversary of the death of Diogo Jota, the Portuguese forward who died alongside his brother André Silva in a car accident last year at the age of 28. The football community, particularly supporters of Liverpool Football Club, gathered to pay tribute to Jota, whose impact on the team and fans remains deeply felt.
Fans of all ages visited Anfield on the anniversary, laying flowers, scarves, and messages of remembrance. The day followed the unveiling of a new sculpture outside the stadium, commissioned by Liverpool, honoring Jota’s memory. Located on 97 Avenue near the Hillsborough memorial, the piece—titled “Forever 20”—was designed by local artist Emma Rodgers, a Liverpool supporter. The work is inspired by Jota’s goal celebration, featuring a flowing heart design that reveals the numbers 20 and 30, representing the shirt numbers worn by Jota and his brother.
Rodgers said she aimed to reflect Jota’s balletic yet dynamic presence on the pitch through a light and elegant sculpture. In addition to the form itself, the sculpture incorporates items from fans, including scarves and shirts that were preserved in wax and integrated into the structure. Bronze casts on the plinth include a rose and a PlayStation controller, the latter a reference to Jota’s love of gaming. Liverpool maintained contact with Jota’s family throughout the nine-month creation process to ensure a thoughtful tribute.
Among those attending was Charlie Cooper, a lifelong Liverpool fan who recalled the shock of hearing the news last year while abroad. “It was like John Lennon dying or 9/11,” Cooper said, reflecting the profound impact Jota’s passing had on the community. Some supporters debated whether to continue playing the fan-made song dedicated to Jota during matches, which is traditionally heard in the 20th minute, with consideration given to its emotional effect on players and fans alike.
Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, noted that while the team initially managed to separate grief from competition, the loss became more prominent as the season progressed. Several players, including Andrew Robertson, Curtis Jones, and Ibrahima Konaté, spoke publicly about the difficulty of coping with Jota’s absence, remembering him both on and off the pitch. The death had an unquantifiable impact on Liverpool’s performances during a challenging season that ultimately saw the departure of manager Arne Slot.
Jota’s influence extended beyond club football into the national team. Portugal faced Croatia in a World Cup round-of-32 match on the anniversary of the crash, with Cristiano Ronaldo paying a poignant tribute by wearing Jota’s No. 21 Portugal jersey after a 2-1 victory. Ronaldo described the timing as “unbelievable” and noted the emotional resonance it carried for the squad.
Throughout the day in Liverpool, tributes continued to accumulate. Former Liverpool players Ian Rush and Natasha Dowie laid wreaths by the new sculpture, while local artists added to a large mural of Jota on a nearby gable wall, which is covered with thousands of messages from fans. The ongoing remembrance highlights the profound and lasting connection between Diogo Jota and the Liverpool community.