Anfield witnessed an emotionally charged afternoon as Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers came together to honour the memory of Diogo Jota ahead of their Premier League clash on Saturday. While the two sides have faced each other since Jota’s passing, this fixture carried added weight, with both clubs and supporters uniting to pay tribute to a player who left a lasting mark on each team.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk led Jota’s children out of the Anfield tunnel, creating a moment that instantly silenced rivalry. Dinis and Duarte, two of Jota’s three children, walked onto the pitch alongside the matchday mascots, with Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, watching from the stands. The gesture drew warm applause across the stadium and set the tone for a deeply emotional afternoon.
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Jota, who tragically lost his life in a car accident in Spain in July at the age of 28 alongside his younger brother Andre Silva, was fondly remembered by both sets of supporters. After shining for Wolves across three seasons, the Portugal forward joined Liverpool in 2020 and went on to become a crucial part of their attacking unit. That shared history was reflected in the atmosphere, as fans from both teams chanted his name in unison.
Before kick-off, the Kop raised a banner reading “Diogo Jota, forever in our hearts,” while Liverpool supporters sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in tribute. The emotional peak arrived in the 20th minute, when the entire stadium stood to applaud as chants of “Diogo” echoed around Anfield, with Wolves fans joining in from the away end.
The tribute continued through the football itself. Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring for Liverpool and marked the moment by recreating Jota’s trademark shark-style celebration. Florian Wirtz added a second goal as the Reds went on to secure a 2-1 victory, with Wolves managing a response but unable to spoil the occasion.
Jota’s legacy at Liverpool remains profound. He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, helping the club lift the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2022 and play a key role in last season’s Premier League title win. In recognition of his impact, Liverpool have retired his iconic number 20 shirt.
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