Mohamed Sarah and Arne Slott were in tears on Friday evening as Liverpool paid tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of the Premier League opening match against Bournemouth. Jota tragically passed away last month at the age of 28, along with his brother Andre Silva, after a car accident in Portugal.
Liverpool returned to Premier League action for the first time since Jota passed away when he held Cherry at Anfield. And before kickoff, stadium fans will display their banners and never walk alone as a homage to the striker. There was also silence as Liverpool players formed a chain at moments of solidarity. Sarah held back tears as she placed her hands on her face, and Slot looked overwhelmed by emotions as she watched from the touchline.
Jota is a much-loved player among Premier League fans, playing for Liverpool for five years after joining the Wolf Club in 2020.
The prolific scorer helped the Reds win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup twice, starring last season when the Northwest Giants cruised to the Premier League title.
He made a total of 182 appearances for Liverpool, contributing 65 goals and 26 assists. He also won 49 caps for Portugal.
Jota married childhood friend Rute Rute Cardoso in late June after the couple tied the knot at a ceremony in Porto.
However, the footballer sadly lost his life just two weeks later when the car he was traveling left his way in Zamora, Spain.
The Liverpool star traveled to Portugal for Jota and his brother’s funeral on July 5th, then paid tribute to the players ahead of the club’s parent-friendly side with Preston.
“You can hear Diogo Jota’s chant ring around Anfield, and it’s going to be an emotional night not only for the fans, but for the players and their families,” former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock advances his clash with Bournemouth.
“The hair on the back of your neck is standing up. I can’t put into words how you feel about it. There are very few dry eyes in the place, no such emotional moments.”
Liverpool were in great shape on the pitch against Bournemouth, so they took the lead half-hour before a strike from the summer signing Hugo Ekitique. And following the goal, the striker signaled No. 20 in honor of Jota, with the Portuguese previously wearing the No. 20 shirt at Anfield.
