Fans are being invited to share their own memories of the Liverpool FC forward
The first mural for Diogo Jota has appeared in Anfield five days after he was tragically killed in a car crash. The “FOREVER 20” piece, by street art collective Murwalls, invites fans to share their own memories of the Liverpool FC forward, creating a massive community tribute on the wall of Sybil Road.
People gathered at the wall today, July 8, a mere stone’s throw away from Anfield Stadium. Messages penned in rainbow colours against a black background read: “Our Number 20. YNWA” and “RIP Jota, thanks for the memories”.
It is not the only artistic tribute to the striker in the works, as the 28-year-old player’s likeness will be emblazoned on a two-storey building, joining the likes of legends such as Jurgen Klopp, Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, whose faces can similarly be found on murals throughout the city.
This memorial art will be the work of Paul Curtis, the man behind some of Liverpool’s most vibrant artworks, including the popular Liver Bird wings, a 30 metre high Katrina Johnson-Thompson piece, and most recently a sprawling octopus displayed in Liverpool ONE.
Since 2017, Paul has created more than 250 public pieces, across the UK, with most of his work found around Liverpool and Wirral.
As news of Jota’s sudden death plunged Reds fans into a state of mourning, Paul set up a crowd-funder with the aim of raising £2,000 for the creation of the mural in his memory.
He said: “Following the tragic and untimely death of Anfield favourite, Diogo Jota, it has been suggested that a mural should be painted in the Anfield area. This mural will be for the fans, from the fans and painted by a fan. We will also be donating funds to a charity (to be chosen) once the costs of the mural are covered.
“The money will be used to cover the costs of the mural, including the hire of cherry picker and the costs of materials. If we exceed these costs, then the extra money raised will go to a charity (we are trying to find out what Diogo’s chosen charities are at the moment).
“The death of Diogo and his brother, Andre, has shocked the football world. The feeling of loss and grief in Liverpool is strong and the LFC fans feel like we have lost one of our own. For that reason, we feel there is a real appetite to remember Diogo J in a tribute from the fans. “
The proposal was met by an outpouring of support by fans, who smashed the fund-raiser’s £2k goal in just 35 minutes. The fundraiser has received more than £19,700 so far, with Paul pledging to donate the leftover money to charity.
He said: “Huge thanks to everyone who donated, LFC fans and extended football family. The mural will definitely go ahead now. We will continue to raise money, so you can be sure that any further funding will completely go to charity.”
Fellow street artist John Culshaw, whose best-known works include the Nelson Mandela mural in L8 and the huge bright blue Liver Bird in the Baltic Triangle, also confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that he will start work on his own Diogo Jota mural “next week”.
Diogo and his brother Andre were killed in a car accident in Spain on Thursday, July 3, sending shockwaves across the football world. The brothers were laid to rest on Saturday, July 5, at Matriz de Gondomar church in their hometown, east of Porto.
Family members and loved ones, Liverpool FC and international players, and members of the football community flocked from around the globe to pay their respects.
Tributes were also left outside the players entrance to the AXA Training Centre on Arbour Lane in Kirkby. Several scarfs and bouquets of flowers were placed on the area of artificial grass where the entrance is.
Responding to Paul’s news that his mural would “definitely go ahead”, Shona-ann Elliott said: “Whatever is decided it will be a masterpiecem be good if it was on a wall at Anfield, we are the best fans for coming together when times are tough.”
Kathy Woods said: “Beautiful idea, as usual the LFC family come together, can’t wait to see it, I’m sure it’s going to be the first place the fans go on every match day.”
Janice King said: “Diogo and Andre should be on the mural they are brothers who died together they both loved football, it would be an honour for their parents who lost their son, two wives who lost their husbands, and for Diogo’s three beautiful children who lost their father.”
You can leave your own tribute to Jota below.
