Liverpool announced on its official website on Thursday that the club will retire the No. 20 jersey to 'eternally immortalise' Portugal international forward Diogo Jota, who tragcially passed away in a car accident in Spain.

Liverpool wrote in the official obituary: "He will lead us to victory," Liverpool fans sang his praises, and Diogo Jota so often did exactly that. "

"The Portugal forward died in a traffic accident at the age of 28. He was a real key figure for the Reds. When the team needed his finishing ability, he happened to be in the right position. "

"He moved to Anfield from Wolves in September 2020, strengthening the attacking department of the new Premier League champions. "

"Jota's career began at his hometown club Paços de Ferreira. In 2014, he made his first-team debut and started his glorious rise to the stardom in the club and international stage.”

“In 2016, Jota joined Atlético Madrid, but he did not really play for the Spanish side. Instead, he was loaned-out to Porto and enjoyed a productive next season, honing his goal-scoring skills and accumulating Champions League experience.”

“Jota moved on-loan again joining Wolves. In the 2017/18 season, he scored 17 goals and was a key figure in helping the English Midlands club step up from the Championship.”

“ota is capable of playing in all attacking positions. His efficiency and agility allow him to frustrate defenders in various ways, and these talents have successfully transferred to the Premier League permanently."

"Wolverhampton Wanderers finished seventh in the Premier League for two consecutive years in the 2019/20 season and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, including nine goals."

"Then Liverpool took the initiative to sign Jota, and although he had difficulty squeezing into a front line that already consisted of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, his influence was swift and significant."

"Indeed, Jota scored double digits in his 21st appearance for the Reds, including a wonderful hat trick away at Atalanta in the Champions League."

"An unexpected injury prevented him from continuing to start, but he returned to the field and scored 21 goals in all competitions, helping Jürgen Klopp's team almost achieve a quadruple in the 2021/22 season, lifting the Carabao Cup and FA Cup."

"The "slotter" was crucial to those victories, scoring a brilliant away performance against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, then scoring twice in the semi-final away to Arsenal to decide the outcome, and scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest. "

"Although Jota did not always get playing time in the following seasons due to poor physical condition, he still contributed goals and assists to the team, and Klopp and his successor Arne Slot had high hopes for him. "

"He is cool-headed on the court, just remember his 94th-minute winning goal at Anfield against Tottenham Hotspur in April 2023, and off the court he is a respected and beloved team-mate. ”

“However, cruelly, Jota ultimately achieved the glory of his football career, becoming a Premier League champion and UEFA Nations League champion. ”

“The No.20 will be remembered for his contribution as a member of Liverpool's title-winning team in the 2024/25 season (the club's 20th title). His iconic shake and shot in front of the Kop in the Merseyside derby in April helped the team win, and this goal also became the memorable final goal of his career. ”

“In this special season, I finally got the title I dreamed of, and in the world's best league where I dreamed of playing as a child. This is a moment I will always treasure,” he said.

"It's an extraordinary achievement for a little guy from Gondomar, where I also had this dream. It's amazing to have made it this far."

"Just last month, Portugal lifted the Nations League trophy, and Jota has 49 appearances for his country, scoring 150 goals in total, 14 of which have come for the national team."

"On June 22, he married his wife Rute, with whom he has three children."

"His name is Diogo!" the fans chanted in unison. And we will never forget it. ”

"Rest in peace, Diogo Jota, 1996-2025. "

At the same time, Liverpool also announced that from now until Monday (July 7) all club stores, Anfield, and AXA Training Center will be temporarily closed, and the flag will be lowered to half-mast as a period of mourning for Jota.

The club has set up a special area around Anfield for fans to come and pay tribute with flowers. Overseas fans can also pay tribute to Jota and his brother André Silva through the electronic condolence book on the official website.