Mohamed Salah broke down in tears as Liverpool paid tribute to Diogo Jota with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth at an emotionally charged Anfield on Friday night.
The Egyptian wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time and mimicked Jota’s ‘crocodile’ celebration in a tribute to his team-mate who died in July.
Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, and Federico Chiesa also scored and paid tribute to the former forward by signing the number 20, his old kit number which has since been retired.
Liverpool’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Bournemouth at Anfield became the backdrop for heartfelt tributes to the Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Fans belted out a moving rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone and held up flags bearing Jota’s face while players gathered in a huddle around the centre circle. At full time, they also sang to Jota.
A perfectly observed moment of silence was held as fans held up a green, red, and white mosaic in the Kop reading ‘DJ20’.
Mohamed Salah broke down in tears after Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4-2, paying tribute to Diogo Jota
Fans held up flags at Anfield as they paid their respects to a popular figure around the club
Liverpool paid tribute to the forward by dedicating the matchday programme cover to him
On July 3, the Portuguese brothers died aged 28 and 25 following a car crash in the early hours in northern Spain.
A banner was also erected on the Kop reading: ‘Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda – Anfield will always be your home, You’ll Never Walk Alone’ as a message to Jota’s family.
The forward had married his childhood sweetheart just 11 days before his passing, following a campaign culminating in trophy-winning successes for both club and country.
Jota was part of Liverpool’s title-winning side – their 20th top-flight triumph – and Portugal’s team that won the Nations League in June.
On Friday, a minute’s silence preceded kick-off, with both teams wearing black armbands. There was also a special fan mosaic of Jota in the stands.
Images of Jota and Andre were displayed on the stadium screens, while the ‘Forever 20’ emblem – now a season-long tribute – adorned the shirts of Liverpool players.
Reds manager Arne Slot made a gracious mention to Jota’s family in Friday’s matchday programme.
The Dutchman said: ‘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.
A new mural was unveiled in Liverpool in tribute to Jota in the days leading up to the game
Messages dedicated to the Portuguese striker were left on seats in the Kop, with the above reading: ‘Forever missed, forever loved, forever remembered, forever our number 20’
Jota’s death came days after he married Rute Cardoso – who he had three young children with
‘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.
‘I believe that Diogo’s wife, his children and his family will be in attendance and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations. We are there for them always.’
Jota, after an illustrious five-season career at Anfield, had his No 20 shirt officially retired across all levels of the club, and will be forever remembered with a permanent sculpture outside the stadium, created from tributes left by supporters.
Before Sky Sports’ coverage of Liverpool versus Bournemouth, a touching montage was played, celebrating Jota’s life and success on the field.
Liverpool have already retired the number 20 shirt in tribute to the late star. Michael Edwards, Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football, said: ‘As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way.
‘It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.
‘I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.
‘By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
Andre (left) was also a footballer, suiting up for Portuguese second division side Penafiel
‘As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.’
A moment of silence will be held at every Premier League ground this weekend while players will wear black armbands.
Jota’s former club Wolves are also planning on hosting a dedicated tribute when they welcome Manchester City to Molineux on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will donate a share of the Club World Cup bonuses being paid to their players to the family of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. That slice is thought to be worth close to £400,000.
