Liverpool confirm permanent tribute to Diogo Jota

Reds forward Jota, 28, died in a car crash along with his brother Silva in Spain on July 3. 

Tributes have been paid at Anfield with flowers, scarves, cards and jerseys being laid around the stadium. 

Liverpool confirmed that physical tributes have been removed and stored, while floral tributes will be composted and used in flower beds at Anfield and training facilities. 

The remaining items will be recycled and used to create a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield. 

Additionally, players will have a "Forever 20" emblem - referencing Jota's now-retired shirt number - printed on their shirts and stadium jackets for the season. 

"The thousands of physical tributes outside Anfield have been gradually removed over the course of the last week and carefully separated and safely stored," the club said. 

"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." 

The club announced earlier in the month that Jota's number 20 had been retired in his honour across all levels, including the women's and academy teams. 

Liverpool paid tribute to Jota and Silva during their friendly against Preston on July 13, where supporters chanted Jota's name. 

Respects will also be paid ahead of the Reds' remaining pre-season games, where a floral tribute will be laid before kick-off at their games in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Anfield. 

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.

Australian Associated Press