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Liverpool has unveiled its kits for the Community Shield at Wembley, featuring a special tribute to forward Diogo Jota.
It will be the first competitive fixture for the Reds following the death of the 28-year-old and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in northern Spain last month. In consultation with his family, Liverpool has also retired the number 20 shirt across all levels of the club in honor and memory of Jota.
Liverpool paid tribute to the siblings ahead of its matches against Preston North End, AC Milan, and Yokohama. Upon the Reds’ return to Anfield, club legend Phil Thompson and Bilbao president Jon Uriarte laid a wreath on the pitch in front of the Kop End before Monday’s opening game.
Players will honour the tribute by wearing a specially designed ‘Forever 20’ emblem printed on the inside of their shirts and stadium jackets, which will stay in place throughout the season.
The Reds unveiled the tribute on X ahead of the game against Crystal Palace which will be the first time the emblem has been displayed on the shirts.,
Liverpool will debut its new Adidas away kit for the first time on Sunday. The FA’s official media release describes the off-white shirt as "ecru," which will be paired with black shorts.
The FA has announced tributes planned to honor the brothers, including wreaths to be placed on the pitch before Sunday’s game and a period of silence in remembrance.
A day earlier, a delegation from Roma featuring Claudio Ranieri and Paulo Dybala paid tribute to Jota outside Anfield, while this week, a third mural honoring the Portuguese star was unveiled in Liverpool.
A special fan mosaic and a minute of silence are also scheduled for the Reds Premier League season opener against Bournemouth on Friday, August 15 as Arne Slot's side looks to defend its title.
Slot said that he is "extremely proud" of Liverpool's players for their handling of the Portuguese forward's tragic death.
In his programme note before the double header against Athletic Club, the Dutchman said: “It has been a tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo’s family, his wife, his children and friends.
“We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward. We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.
"I want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here, too. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable.
"But the way they have come together and the way they have conducted themselves, on and off the pitch, is a credit to them and to this football club. We really couldn’t have asked more of the boys, and I am extremely proud of them all."
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