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Merseyside derby winners, a famous night against Man United, European hat-tricks and starring against Arsenal and Tottenham - Diogo Jota's best moments for Liverpool and Wolves

Merseyside derby winners, a famous night against Man United, European hat-tricks and starring against Arsenal and Tottenham - Diogo Jota's best moments for Liverpool and Wolves

Daily Mail​6 hours ago
Liverpool star Jota was confirmed to have tragically died in a car crash on Thursday morning in Spain, with his 26-year-old brother also passing away.
The forward had provided countless stunning moments for Liverpool, Wolves and Portugal during his career, as well as having spells at Pacos de Ferreira, Atletico Madrid and Porto.
Jota came to England to sign for Wolves on an initial loan in 2017, a deal that was made permanent after the forward helped the club earn promotion from the Championship.
After scoring 44 times in 131 appearances for Wolves, Jota signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2020 for a £41m fee. Jota went on to score 65 goals in 182 matches for the Reds, helping the club win the Premier League title last season.
The Portuguese star was part of the Liverpool squad that won the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, as well as reaching the Champions League final the same season. He also won the Nations League on two occasions for Portugal, in 2019 and 2025.
Mail Sport takes a closer look at some of the best moments from Jota's career.
Stunning derby strikes helps Wolves down Aston Villa
Jota was an instrumental part of the Wolves side that dominated the Championship in the 2017-18 season, helping the club to return to the Premier League.
Arguably the pick of his goals in that campaign came in a derby against Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
Faced with three defenders on the edge of the penalty area, Jota twisted and shifted the ball into space, before driving an unstoppable shot beyond Sam Johnstone to spark wild celebrations at Molineux.
Jota's goal was the opener in a 2-0 win for Wolves, a result which put Nuno Espirito Santo's side top of the Championship.
Jota embarrasses Shaw to send Wolves to Wembley
Jota delivered another classic Molineux moment in March 2019, scoring Wolves second in a 2-1 win over Man United in an FA Cup quarter-final.
With Wolves leading 1-0 at the time, Jota produced an individual moment of magic to effectively seal their place at Wembley.
Picking the ball up close to the halfway line, Jota tricked his way past Man United defender Luke Shaw, who was left on the floor by the forward's sharp turn.
Jota continued to drive towards the Man United box and drilled a left footed effort into the near post to take Wolves a step closer to the semi-finals.
'I remember a big, big game for Wolves. It was against United in the quarter-final and it had been a long time since Wolves had been to Wembley,' Jota later reflected.
'We were there and unfortunately lost to Watford, but that game against United was really good and I scored one great goal, so that was a great moment.'
Jota's 11-minute Europa League hat-trick off the bench
Jota's role in Wolves rise continued when the club were involved in their first European campaign in almost 40 years during the 2019-20 season.
With Wolves bidding to top their Europa League group, Jota was brought off the bench in the 56th minute of a clash with Turkish side Besiktas.
Jota took just 72 seconds to put Wolves in front with a header, before adding a second goal six minutes later from a rebound.
He completed his hat-trick just 11 minutes after coming off the bench, inspiring Wolves to a 4-0 victory.
Magical assist inspires Wolves to a win over Tottenham
Jota had scored and provided an assist against Tottenham to help Wolves draw level on two occasions in March 2020. The best was still to come.
With the match level at 2-2, Jota beat Lucas Moura to the ball in his own half and then skillfully flicked the ball past the Tottenham man, who was left standing motionless.
Jota continued by driving into the Tottenham half, fending off Serge Aurier and sending Davison Sanchez backpeddling towards his own box.
His near 50-yard dribble concluded with a pass to team-mate Raul Jimenez, who cut into the box and struck to earn Wolves a stunning 3-2 victory.
While Jimenez to the acclaim for the goal, Jota's contribution has stuck in the memories of fans.
Jota's Champions League hat-trick against Atalanta
Jota had already made an impressive start to his Liverpool career by the time the Reds travelled to Atalanta for a Champions league match in November 2020.
His performance in Bergamo underlined why Liverpool had brought him to the club from Wolves, with Jota scoring twice in the first half.
Jota produced a dinked finish over goalkeeper for his first, before turning to power for his second with a driven effort after taking down a lofted pass.
The forward completed his hat-trick in the second half by beating the goalkeeper to a through ball and rolling into an empty net.
Jota's starring role in a 5-0 win truly announced his arrival in a Liverpool shirt and marked the club as Champions League contenders that season.
Jota's skill and finish seals Merseyside derby triumph
A visit to Goodison Park in December 2021 had Jota demonstrating both his technical skills and powerful finishing ability.
Liverpool were already heading towards a victory over their local rivals in the Merseyside derby with a Mo Salah double and Jordan Henderson strike giving them a 3-1 lead.
Jota put a seal on the win in stunning fashion as the match approached the final 10 minutes.
Latching onto a through ball from Andrew Robertson in the penalty area, Jota's immaculate first touch saw him flick the ball past Everton's Allan.
Steading himself with his second, Jota's third touch saw him powerful fire the ball into the roof of the Everton net from a tight angle.
He capped off the goal by cupping his ear to the Everton fans and producing an iconic crocodile celebration.
Dribbling through Arsenal to net his favourite goal
Jota personally listed this goal as his favourite at the club when asked by Liverpool last year.
The forward helped the Reds to secure a crushing 4-0 victory over Arsenal, a club he netted eight times against during his time at Wolves and Liverpool.
On this occasion, Jota seized on a loose pass from Arsenal on the edge of the penalty area and grasped his chance with both hands.
Within four touches, Jota dribbled around a desperate sliding challenge from a defender and dummied goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, before passing the ball into the net.
'I think it was a good goal and everyone in the stadium enjoyed it,' Jota said.
Jota silences the Emirates in the Carabao Cup
As mentioned, Jota had a fine record against Arsenal, who he scored his second highest number of goals against.
Two of them came in the second leg of a Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates back in 2022.
After a goalless first leg at Anfield, Jota broke the deadlock in the first half with a run and low shot finding the bottom corner of the Gunners net.
He sealed Liverpool's place at Wembley late in the second half, holding off Ben White and dinking the ball over Ramsdale.
Jota would go on to score in the penalty shoot-out in the final against Chelsea, with Liverpool's triumph over the Blues giving the forward his first silverware at the club.
Late winner sees Jota decide thriller with Spurs
Jota produced the decisive moment in a classic Premier League match against Tottenham in April 2023.
Jurgen Klopp's side had cruised into a 3-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes at Anfield, but Spurs produced an unlikely second half fightback to draw level in stoppage time.
Tottenham's celebrations were quickly snuffed out by Jota, who ultimately ensured Liverpool would take all three points.
Jota raced onto a wayward pass from Tottenham's Lucas Moura and slid the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Fraser Forster to give Liverpool a 4-3 lead and spark jubilant scenes in the stands.
Klopp memorably suffered a hamstring injury as the Liverpool boss celebrated the last-gasp winner.
Merseyside derby winner helps successful title push
Sadly, this has proved to be Jota's final goal for Liverpool.
Jota produced another moment of magic to help Arne Slot's side find a breakthrough in the Merseyside derby back in April.
With the Reds being frustrated by their rivals, Jota danced through several challenges and fired home a low effort to score the only goal of the game.
As well as netting a derby winner, Jota's effort saw Liverpool take another major step towards what would prove their 20th domestic title.
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