From Heart Gesture to Heartfelt Tribute: Artists and Fans Unite in Murals, Sculptures, and Jersey Retirement to Celebrate Jota’s Impact After Tragic Loss with Brother André Silva
LIVERPOOL – November 20, 2025 – The streets around Anfield have always been a canvas for Liverpool FC’s triumphs and tragedies, but the latest artwork has etched a permanent mark of love and loss. A stunning new mural immortalizing Diogo Jota, the adored Portuguese forward who tragically died at 28 in a July car crash alongside his brother André Silva, was unveiled this week near the club’s iconic stadium. Created by local artist John Culshaw on the exterior of the Halfway House pub, just a short walk from Anfield, the piece captures Jota in his signature heart gesture to the Kop, a symbol of the joy he brought during his five seasons with the Reds. “As Liverpool fans, we know how to deal with tragedy and show our appreciation to someone who gave us so much,” Culshaw told Liverpool Echo. “This image shows Diogo sending love to the fans—and by immortalizing him, we’re sending it right back.”
Jota’s death on July 3, 2025, in a high-speed accident near Porto, just days after his wedding, sent shockwaves through the football world. The 28-year-old, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020 for £41 million, became a key part of Jürgen Klopp’s title-winning machine, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances and etching his name in club lore with his clinical finishing and infectious celebrations. His brother André, 26, a promising midfielder at Gondomar FC, perished alongside him, leaving their hometown in mourning. Liverpool announced immediate tributes: retiring Jota’s No. 20 jersey across all levels of the men’s and women’s teams, a permanent sculpture at Anfield, and a ‘Forever 20’ emblem on new adidas kits. Profits from printing “Diogo J 20” on shirts will go to the LFC Foundation’s youth programs.
The mural joins a growing gallery of fan-led homages. Artist Paul Curtis completed a poignant piece on Sybil Street featuring Jota and André with “You’ll Never Walk Alone” etched below, funded by a crowdfunding campaign that raised £15,000 in days. Kevin Gates, the “Kop Artist,” added a vibrant tribute on a wall near the ground, inviting fans to sign messages with bright markers. “Every player means so much to Liverpool fans,” Gates said. “Diogo was phenomenal—he’ll be very much missed.” The artworks have become pilgrimage sites, with supporters laying flowers and scarves, turning Anfield’s vicinity into a living memorial.
Jota’s legacy extends beyond stats. His 2023-24 season haul of 15 Premier League goals, including a hat-trick against Bournemouth, helped secure the title. Off the pitch, his humility shone: donating to Portuguese youth academies and supporting mental health initiatives after opening up about homesickness in 2021. Teammate Mohamed Salah called him “a brother who lit up every room,” while Klopp, in a tearful tribute, said, “Diogo’s heart was bigger than his talent—and both were massive.”
The murals symbolize Liverpool’s ethos: adversity met with art and unity. As the season opener against Bournemouth approaches, fans plan a mosaic and minute’s silence. “Jota’s heart gesture lives on,” Culshaw added. “We’re just painting what we all feel.”
In a city that paints its pain into pride, Diogo Jota’s legacy endures—not in bronze or canvas, but in the hearts he touched. YNWA, Diogo. Forever 20.
