At Anfield, dates no longer pass quietly. Every chant, every scarf raised, and every 20th minute inside the stadium has become part of a living ritual — a way for Liverpool to keep Diogo Jota present after a loss that continues to shake the club to its core.
This November 29 marked what would have been his 29th birthday, and the Reds honored the occasion with a tribute that once again touched players, staff, and supporters alike.

A Legacy That Refuses To Fade

Jota’s death on July 3, along with that of his brother André, left a wound that has not yet healed. The Portuguese forward had become a fan favourite in only four seasons, a player whose intensity, humility, and bright personality resonated with Liverpool supporters.

Outside Anfield, the memorial built in his name remains a growing sanctuary. Fans continue to place flowers, shirts, handwritten letters and scarves — physical reminders that the No. 20 is gone but never forgotten. Inside the stadium, the ritual lives on: his song rises in the 20th minute of every home match, echoing the number he wore with such pride.

On Thursday, Liverpool shared a message that captured the emotion of the day:

“Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota on what would have been his 29th birthday. All our love, thoughts and prayers remain with his wife Rute, his children, his parents and all of his family and friends, as well as those of his brother, André. Forever in our hearts, forever our No. 20.”

The club has also retired the No. 20 shirt and will honour the remainder of Jota’s contract, with his weekly salary — approximately £140,000 — going directly to his wife and children.

A Dressing Room Still Learning To Carry the Grief

The emotional impact remains profound. Former players and current teammates have spoken openly about how challenging it has been to compete while carrying such a heavy loss.
Don Hutchison described it bluntly on TNT Sports:

“If it were me, I’d be devastated. It’s a pain you carry into every match, every training session. Nobody can just switch that off.”

Moments like Andy Robertson’s tears after securing Scotland’s World Cup spot, or Arne Slot’s quiet reflections in press conferences, paint a clear picture: Liverpool didn’t just lose a forward — they lost a friend.

Slot captured that duality perfectly:

“Remembering him is necessary because he was extraordinary. But no one can measure the impact this has on results. What we do know is that we miss him — as a player and as a person.”

A Career That Leaves an Eternal Mark

Jota played 182 matches, scored 65 goals, lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and helped Portugal win the Nations League.
More than his numbers, it was the way he played — fearless, sharp, relentless — that endeared him to the Kop from the very beginning.

On what should have been his 29th birthday, Liverpool once again showed why Anfield is different: because memory matters, because grief is shared, and because legacy is something a club can choose to carry forever.

For Liverpool, Diogo Jota will always be their No. 20 — the player who made the game feel a little more human.