Rafael Leao's touching tribute to Diogo Jota vs Liverpool as club make statement

Rafael Leao paid tribute to Diogo Jota after opening the scoring for AC Milan against Liverpool. The Portuguese winger, who was international colleagues with Jota, made the number 20 with his fingers.

It was a subdued celebration from the winger, who was keen to pay his respects to the player after his tragic death. Jota died earlier in July in a car accident that killed him and brother Andre Silva.

It has been a hugely emotional time for the Reds in the wake of the shocking news. Flowers, scarves, cards and jerseys being laid around the stadium with a number of the players clearly emotional. Liverpool have confirmed that physical tributes have been removed and stored, while floral tributes will be used in flower beds at Anfield and training facilities.

Ahead of the new season, where Liverpool will hope to defend their Premier League crown, the players will all have a “Forever 20” emblem - referencing Jota’s retired shirt number - printed on their shirts and stadium jackets for the season.

A club statement said: “The club is now able to provide details on how it will create more permanent tributes moving forward. The thousands of physical tributes outside Anfield have been gradually removed over the course of the last week and carefully separated and safely stored.

READ MORE: Arne Slot rocked by fresh injury blow as Liverpool star leaves pre-season tour

READ MORE: Alexander Isak's eye-watering contract offer as big-spending club eye Liverpool target

“Floral tributes will then be composted and used in flower beds across all club sites, including Anfield, the AXA Training Centre and AXA Melwood Training Centre.

“The remaining artefacts will be recycled by a specialist company and used to help create a permanent memorial sculpture that will become a future focal point of remembrance at Anfield. In the meantime, a temporary area of reflection has been created at Anfield so people can continue to pay their respects.”

Liverpool paid tribute to Jota and Silva when they played for the first time following his death. That was during a pre-season friendly against Preston on July 13. Respects will also be paid before of the Reds’ remaining pre-season games, both abroad and at home.

Liverpool’s Premier League season kicks off with a meeting against Bournemouth on August 15 and a main commemoration is set to take place with a special fan mosaic and a minute of silence.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.