Muscat: Liverpool confirmed on Friday that the number 20 shirt worn by Diogo Jota will no longer be used by any player at the club — including in the men’s, women’s, and academy teams — as a mark of respect to the 27-year-old forward who died on July 3 alongside his brother, André Silva, in a car accident in northern Spain.

“After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo,” the statement read.

Liverpool’s chief executive Michael Edwards described the gesture as unprecedented in the club’s history. “I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual,” he said.

Jota, who had just married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the crash, leaves behind three children. The vehicle the brothers were travelling in, a Lamborghini, veered off the road and caught fire, leading to their untimely deaths.

Liverpool will return to the pitch for the first time since the tragedy on Sunday in a pre-season friendly against English Championship side Preston. A series of tributes are planned at the match, including a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before kick-off, wreath-laying by Preston in front of the away supporters, a minute’s silence, digital tributes on stadium screens and advertising boards, and black armbands worn by both teams.