Liverpool stage touching tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother as Reds legend lays flowers ahead of friendly in Japan – with stadium lit up by fans in stunning red and white display
There was a touching tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre prior to Liverpool’s pre-season friendly in Japan.
The stadium in Yokohama lit up in red and white, with floodlights turned down while the 72,000 sell-out of fans shone phone torches.
It made for a moving display and it was charged with emotion for the club still grieving the loss of the Portuguese forward.
Club legend and top scorer in Liverpool history, Ian Rush, paid his part in the pre-game tributes.
He made his way out onto the turf against the backdrop of the lights from the crowd and laid a wreath of flowers on the pitch.
There were also a number of fans seen making their own gestures of tribute to Jota in the stands, many with specially made signs.
There was a stunning display of red and white and a light show tribute to Diogo and Andre Jota prior to Liverpool’s pre-season friendly in Yokohama
Club legend Ian Rush laid a wreath on the pitch and it was a moving spectacle
Many supporters brought their own individual offerings and specially made shirts
‘Forever our number 20’, read one flag brought to the game in the Japanese city
There was a sellout for the match, with Japanese Liverpool fans given a rare chance to see their side live
One read: ‘Diogo, forever 20.’ Others held up his shirts and one had ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone, Diogo Jota’, emblazoned on the back.
Jota and his brother Andre died in a car crash in Spain almost a month ago. Their deaths rocked Liverpool and the sporting world to its core and the tributes paid in Japan are the latest in a huge outpouring of grief.
The club have announced several permanent tributes and Jota will be forever remembered outside the stadium with a permanent sculpture.
The design has not yet been decided and it will be joined by floral tributes in all club sites including the training ground and women’s team HQ.
There will also be a ‘Forever 20’ emblem printed on the new Liverpool kits which are set to be released on August 1 by adidas. This will remain in place all season.
If supporters want to get the name Diogo J and number 20 on the back of their new shirts, all profits from the printing will go to the LFC Foundation.
The foundation has committed to creating a grassroots football programme in Diogo’s name.
The main commemoration will be a special fan mosaic and minute’s silence on the first home Premier League game of the season when the champions take on Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday, August 1.
