logo
Liverpool players to wear 'Forever 20' patches in Jota's memory

Liverpool players to wear 'Forever 20' patches in Jota's memory

LONDON: Liverpool players will wear a "Forever 20" emblem on their shirts and stadium jackets this Premier League season in memory of their former forward Diogo Jota who died in a car crash in Spain three weeks ago.
The club also announced today a special commemoration including a fan mosaic and a minute's silence ahead of Liverpool's opening game of the season against Bournemouth on Aug 15.
Thousands of flowers, scarves, banners and other tributes have been laid outside Anfield since Jota and his brother Andre Silva died.
The club said they have been removed over the past week and stored, while the floral tributes will be composted and used in flower beds across club sites, including Anfield, the AXA Training Centre and AXA Melwood Training Centre.
The remaining artefacts will be recycled and used to create a permanent memorial sculpture that will become a focal point of remembrance at Anfield.
Liverpool had already announced after consultation with Jota's family that his number 20 shirt will be retired across all levels of the club, including the women's and academy teams.
Supporters can have "Diogo J. 20" printed on shirts in club stores, with profits going to LFC Foundation, the club's official charity. The Foundation has committed to creating a grassroots football programme in Jota's name.
A floral tribute will be also laid before kickoff at pre-season games in Hong Kong, Tokyo and at Anfield. - REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Childhood fan Mbeumo joins Man Utd re-build
Childhood fan Mbeumo joins Man Utd re-build

Free Malaysia Today

time9 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Childhood fan Mbeumo joins Man Utd re-build

Bryan Mbeumo thrived during his six-year spell at Brentford, netting 70 goals and supplying 51 assists in 242 matches. (Man Utd pic) LONDON : Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo said he 'grew up wearing' the Manchester United shirt on Monday after joining the club from Brentford on a deal until 2030, with an option for a further year. Mbeumo, 25, will reportedly cost the 20-time Premier League champions an initial £65 million (US$87 million) having scored 20 goals in 38 league games last season for the Bees. Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, were also chasing the France-born attacker before United's improved offer sealed the move. United's third bid, worth an initial £65m with £6m in add-ons, was accepted last week. 'As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams,' Mbeumo said in a United statement. 'The team whose shirt I wore growing up. 'This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies,' he added. United coach Ruben Amorim has signed two other players during this summer in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season's catastrophic display. They lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final and a 15th-place finish in the top flight was their lowest since 1973-74. Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon have also moved to Old Trafford. 'Primary target' Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled as Amorim's main strikers last term. 'My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday,' Mbeumo said. 'I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players. Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists in 242 appearances in all competitions following his move from French club Troyes in 2019. 'There is always a right time for a player to move on and, for Bryan, that time is now,' Brentford director of football Phil Giles said. 'He has the opportunity to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world, and we are very happy for him,' he added. Mbeumo helped the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and was instrumental in their impressive 10th-place finish in 2024-25. 'We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre-season tour,' the Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox said. 'The experience in the US will be the perfect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new team-mates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead,' he added. In terms of United outgoings, Marcus Rashford is set to leave his boyhood club for Barcelona and an announcement could come on Tuesday. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia continue looking for new clubs and are not expected to fly to the US as part of the tour squad. United start their pre-season tour of the US on Sunday by facing West Ham before their opening game of the new Premier League season against Arsenal on Aug 17.

Ex-Liverpool defender Joey Jones dies aged 70
Ex-Liverpool defender Joey Jones dies aged 70

Free Malaysia Today

time9 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Ex-Liverpool defender Joey Jones dies aged 70

Joey Jones made 100 appearances for Liverpool in three highly successful years between 1975 and 1978. (PA/AP pic) LONDON : Former Liverpool and Wales defender Joey Jones, a key member of two European Cup-winning teams, has died aged 70, the club said today. Jones made 100 appearances for Liverpool in three highly successful years between 1975 and 1978, also winning a Uefa Cup and a league title. The tough-tackling leftback also earned 72 caps for Wales. He was immortalised in a banner revealed by Liverpool fans at the 1977 European Cup final victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, which said: 'Joey ate the frogs' legs, made the Swiss roll, now he's munching Gladbach'. It was a reference to wins over French club St Etienne and Zurich in the quarter and semifinals. 'Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of Joey Jones. The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Joey's family and friends at this sad time,' the club said in a statement. Jones started and ended his career at Wrexham and also had spells at Anfield, Chelsea and Huddersfield. His former Wales teammate Mickey Thomas posted on X: 'This morning I lost my best friend and soul mate, Sir Joey our memories will never fade – Today my heart is broken. Love you Sir Joey RIP. My condolences are with Janice and all the family.' Former Liverpool star John Aldridge also paid tribute, writing: 'What a lovely man and an inspirational full back who gave his heart and soul in a red shirt and for all the clubs he played for! Our thoughts are with Joey's family! I'm a lucky man to have met him many times.'

Howe says Newcastle players getting on with it amid Isak exit talk
Howe says Newcastle players getting on with it amid Isak exit talk

Free Malaysia Today

time9 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Howe says Newcastle players getting on with it amid Isak exit talk

Alexander Isak bagged 23 league goals last season for Newcastle. (EPA Images pic) SINGAPORE : Newcastle United's players are professionals who will not let ongoing speculation linking striker Alexander Isak with a move away from St James' Park affect their focus as they prepare for the Premier League season, manager Eddie Howe said. Isak, who bagged 23 league goals last season, only behind Liverpool talisman and Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah (29), was left out of Newcastle's squad for their pre-season tour of Asia. The 25-year-old, capped 52 times for Sweden, joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 and has since netted 62 times in 109 appearances across all competitions. After Newcastle's 3-2 defeat by Arsenal in Singapore yesterday, Howe told reporters the tour was 'business as usual' for the players. 'You don't get a chance when you come on to these tours to think of anything other than training, the next game, the level is so high that even in these games we have to be very well prepared,' he added. 'We have to try and be at our best. So naturally, I think we're going to miss a player of Alex's quality and the group are going to feel that. There's no denying that. 'And I can't sit here and claim that they (the players) won't. But they're a very professional group of players and they're doing brilliantly as far as I can see in terms of managing the situation.' Newcastle, who qualified for Champions League football after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, are next in action against a K-League XI in South Korea on Wednesday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store