Mohamed Salah wiped away tears as he listened to Liverpool fans sing songs in tribute to Diogo Jota after the team’s victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.
Liverpool won 4-2 in the opening match of the Premier League season, with goals from Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Salah getting their title defence off to a winning start.
Jota died in a car crash along with brother Andre Silva in Spain on 3 July after a suspected tyre blowout. The tragedy occurred only 11 days after Jota, a 28-year-old father of three, had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso.
Jota’s family were in attendance at Anfield on Friday night as Liverpool fans sang a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, before a minute’s silence was impeccably observed.
A loud rendition of Jota’s song was accompanied by banners commemorating the late forward, one of them in the Bournemouth end, in a gesture by the visiting fans. Mosaics were formed by fans in the Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Kop as Liverpool paid their own tribute.
Chants of Jota’s name continued to ring around the stadium as the game got underway, all players wearing black armbands, with fans singing his now immortalised “Number 20” anthem.
And afterwards, Salah stood in front of the Kop soaking in the moment as supporters sang Jota’s name.
“We know that this will be a very emotional occasion, given it is the first league game we have played since we lost Diogo and Andre,” Arne Slot had said in his pre-match programme notes.
“As I have said previously, the tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special, and I know that tonight we will come together to honour them once more.”
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk added in his notes: “It will be a very emotional occasion for everybody associated with the club, and especially for Diogo’s wife, Rute, their children and his family, who will be in attendance this evening.
“They remain, of course, the most important people in all of this, and it is important that we as a club – players, staff, supporters – are there for them always, and that they know that they will always be loved and welcomed here at Anfield.”
Liverpool retired Jota’s No 20 shirt earlier this summer, with the Portuguese forward listed under “Forever” on their website’s squad list.
