Liverpool faced Wolves for the first time since Diogo Jota, who played for two Premier League clubs, tragically died in a car accident along with his brother in July.
Anfield was overcome with emotion as Liverpool and Wolves paid a moving tribute to Diogo Jota with his widow and children on the pitch. Liverpool star Jota tragically died in July when he and his brother Andre Silva were involved in a car crash in Spain.
The Portuguese is 28 years old and spent the last five years of his life playing for Liverpool. That came after three seasons with Wolves, helping them win promotion to the Premier League and qualification for Europe.
Both clubs were devastated by his passing and paid tribute to him at their respective stadiums throughout the season. On Saturday, the two teams played each other for the first time since Jota’s death.
Jota’s wife Lute Cardoso, whom he had married two weeks before his death, paid tribute to him from pitchside at Anfield. Two of the team’s three children, Dinis and Duarte, are mascots and walked out with the players ahead of kick-off as an emotional version of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was sung from the Anfield stands.
His family previously attended Liverpool’s season opener at home to Bournemouth in August and Wolves’ game against Man City at Molineux. During a minute’s silence, two mosaics were unfurled across two stands, reading “DJ 20” and “AS 30”.
read more: Virgil van Dijk reveals Liverpool team’s feelings about Diogo Jota chantsread more: Diogo Jota’s heartbreaking wish for the children who will become Liverpool vs Wolves mascots
A banner on the Kop read: “Lute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda – Anfield will always be your home”. Mafalda is Jota’s one year old daughter.
The next day Root was at Molineux for Wolves’ opening game against Manchester City. She wiped away tears alongside Jota’s parents and stood alongside long-time teammate Ruben Neves.
The entire Wolves squad traveled to Anfield on Boxing Day to pay their respects at Jota’s memorial service outside the stadium. Interim executive chairman Nathan See, head coach Rob Edwards and goalkeeper Jose Sa laid flowers outside Anfield.
Liverpool fans regularly pay tribute to Jota, singing the Jota chant in the 20th minute of each match and honoring his shirt number, which has been retired in honor of the forward. Liverpool manager Arne Slott reflected on a turbulent 12 months at the club in his program notes.
“In doing so, I especially remember Diogo Jota’s family, who will be celebrating their first Christmas without Diogo Jota,” Slott wrote. “Although it is not my place to tell them where to seek solace, if that is possible, I can only hope that the feelings of love and affection that Diogo is still generating will bring them some comfort.
“Saturday’s loss will be particularly strong as it will be the first time Diogo’s two English sides have played each other since Diogo’s tragic death. Like us, Wolves have clearly been deeply affected by the loss of such a special player and person and my thoughts remain with them.”
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk wrote in his notebook: “The loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July was something none of us could have predicted and is something we are all still trying to come to terms with. Our thoughts, as always, are with Diogo and Andre’s families. They will never, ever be forgotten and we will always carry their memories.”
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