Liverpool honors Jota and brother at Wembley

Liverpool marks Diogo Jota memory with a club wide retirement of the number 20 and a shirt tribute during the Community Shield at Wembley.

Liverpool retires Diogo Jota 20 across all levels

Crystal Palace face Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium as a football match and a moment of memory converge. Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in July, and Liverpool will retire the number 20 across all levels of the club. Players will wear a middle shirt print that reads Diogo J 20 as part of the tribute, with both clubs expected to honour the brothers during the day.

Memorial acts like this can define a club's culture as much as trophies. Retiring a number across all levels is a strong statement about memory lasting beyond a single season or squad. It signals that the club views people as part of its identity and history.

But ceremonies at a big match carry risk too. Some fans may see the tribute as appropriate respect, while others could view it as shaping the narrative around sport more than the game itself. Clear communication from the club helps prevent misinterpretation and keeps focus on a collective moment rather than a controversial talking point.

Highlights

Memory can endure long after the final whistle