Diogo Jota remembered by Liverpool in emotional tribute at season opener

Straits Times

4 days ago

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Liverpool honoured Dioho Jota with a minute's silence before the kick-off against Bournemouth on Aug 15.
– Emotional Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah buried his face in his hands as the Anfield crowd gave a heart-wrenching rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone in tribute to beloved forward Diogo Jota ahead of the English Premier League season-opener on Aug 15, which ended 4-2 to the Reds.
The reigning champions honoured the Portugal forward with a minute's silence before the
kick-off against Bournemouth , as Jota's death in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva in July cast a sombre cloud over the pre-game proceedings.
The players stood arm-in-arm with heads bowed, while fans wiped away tears and the words 'Rest in peace Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, you'll never walk alone' were displayed around the pitch.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot reflected on how the squad had coped following the death of their teammate.
'The squad is far better than I expected five or six weeks ago,' the Dutchman told Sky Sports before kick-off.
'At the moment in time you feel, will it ever be possible to play again, or will it ever be possible to get them going again?
'But as I said many times, they have conducted themselves so, so well in that period of time, when we first heard the news (about Jota's death) and afterwards.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots
Singapore SPLRT disruption: 28km of cables to be tested during off-service hours; works to end by Aug 23
Singapore First-half GDP boost likely temporary; Republic must stay relevant amid challenges: Chan Chun Sing
Life Six-figure sales each durian season: Why S'pore durian sellers are now live selling on TikTok
Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA
Singapore 3 truck drivers injured after chain collision on ECP, including one rescued with hydraulic tools
Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students
Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want
'On both sides, they were great. As human beings but also they understood that they needed to be professional footballers again, so we had to work hard and that is what they started doing.'
Jota scarves and banners dotted the crowd, while 'Diogo' shirts dominated those worn by fans pouring into the stadium.
Fans in two stands held placards that spelt out 'DJ 20' and 'AS 30' in Portugal's red, green and white colours.
Fans in two stands held placards that spelt out 'DJ 20' and 'AS 30' in Portugal's red, green and white colours.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Liverpool players will wear a 'Forever 20' emblem on their shirts this season, while the club have retired Jota's No. 20 shirt across all levels of the club, including the women's team and academy, after consultation with Jota's family.
After 20 minutes and 20 seconds of the Aug 15 game, the Anfield crowd stood and cheered and sang their Jota song, set to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Bad Moon Rising.
REUTERS