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Diogo Jota's wife and children to attend Liverpool game against Bournemouth at Anfield

Diogo Jota's wife and children to attend Liverpool game against Bournemouth at Anfield

ITV News18 hours ago
Diogo Jota's wife and children will be at Anfield for Liverpool FC's first competitive game against Bournemouth since the footballer's death, The Reds' head coach Arne Slot has said.
The Portuguese striker and his brother, Andre Silva, tragically died in a car accident over the summer.
The deaths of the footballing brothers has prompted an outpouring of support across the football world who have united to mourn their passing and pay tribute to their legacy.
Slot vowed everyone associated with the club will always be there for the family.
The Dutchman said: "As I have said previously, the tributes that been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special, and I know that tonight we will come together to honour them once more.
"I believe that Diogo's wife, his children and his family will be in attendance and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations. We are there for them always."
Jota's legacy has been forever preserved at Anfield after the club retired the number 20 shirt which the Portuguese star had made his own since joining Liverpool in 2020.
The club have taken the decision with the move, not only a reflection of Jota's contributions to Liverpool as a player which saw him help the Reds win the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in five years at Anfield, but also the profound personal impact he made on teammates, colleagues and supporters.
Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of Football, said: "As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way.
"It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo's wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.
'I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club's history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.
'By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten. 'Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
'As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.'
Billy Hogan, John Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon added in a joint statement: 'The fact that in the long and storied history of our club this honour has never previously been bestowed shows the significance of Diogo to Liverpool Football Club.
'His memory and contribution will be immortalised by his association with the number 20. Our love goes to Rute, his three beautiful children and his family as they continue to grieve the loss of Diogo and André.'
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