
Diogo Jota's widow visits Anfield to view floral tributes to late Liverpool star
Liverpool's squad, led by head coach Arne Slot, also took time to pay their respects, with each player laying a single rose in a touching act of remembrance.
Key players including Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo, along with manager Arne Slot, joined fans in paying tribute outside Anfield, where mourning for the loss of the beloved player continues.
On Friday, it was announced that Jota's number 20 shirt will be permanently retired by the Premier League champions in an unprecedented gesture. The number will forever belong to the Portuguese forward, marking the first time in the club's history such a tribute has been made.
Jota and his brother were killed in a car crash last week as they were returning to Merseyside for pre-season training, reports the Mirror.
This significant gesture extends to all levels of the club - from the men's senior team to the women's, U21s and academy teams. The decision was made following consultation with Diogo's wife, Rute, and his family.
The club believes this extraordinary and heartfelt move is not only a fitting tribute to his contributions as a player but also recognises the impact he had on everyone at the club, including his teammates, staff and supporters.
Liverpool's fixture against Preston North End - which will be broadcast on ITV 1 - will proceed as scheduled on Sunday, the club confirmed on Friday, marking the first match since Jota's passing.
The Reds' statement revealed: "Ahead of the 3pm BST kick-off, there will be a rendition of LFC anthem You'll Never Walk Alone and the home club will lay a wreath alongside the away supporters.
"A minute's silence will be observed in Diogo and Andre's memory and digital tributes will be displayed on the screen and across pitchside LEDs. Both sets of players will wear black armbands. Preston have also created a commemorative edition of the matchday programme that features written tributes to Diogo and Andre."
The Liverpool player and his younger sibling were travelling home from Portugal, following Jota's recent wedding to his childhood love just days earlier. The Reds striker was prevented from flying due to minor surgical treatment for a lung problem.
Following the devastating accident, both brothers were interred during a ceremony in Gondomar, Portugal on Saturday morning. Countless floral tributes have subsequently been placed at both Anfield and Molineux, Wolverhampton Wanderers' ground where he played for three seasons from 2017 to 2020.
Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan accompanied senior club officials in visiting the memorial area, honouring Jota as an "incredible footballer and really good person". Speaking to LFC TV, Hogan said: "First, I would just say that obviously we're here today – and so many people have been here before – to just offer condolences and thoughts and prayers for Diogo and for Andre, and most importantly for their family.
"It has only been a couple of days but, as we all know, it has been just absolutely devastating. We're a club in mourning. We have all been completely shocked by the situation and, again, can only think of what this has meant to their family.
"What we see behind us and the overwhelming outpouring of support and emotion and grief and love – having a chance to walk down the row here and read the cards and read the messages, our anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone, it does mean something.
"In this case, I think everybody just feels so passionately about making sure that we remember the two boys but also that we support their family, and we're going to work through this together."
Heartfelt tributes have also poured in from former teammates of Jota. Andy Robertson shared on social media: "The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.
"For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together... however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.
"I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.
"Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish... I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.
"We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had.
"The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.
"I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Cancel the Gyokeres medical' – Arsenal fans demand last-minute transfer swoop for Isak as Sporting star jets in
ARSENAL fans took to social media to encourage dropping their signing of striker Viktor Gyokeres to instead pursue Newcastle's Alexander Isak. 4 Viktor Gyokeres is set to have his medical with Arsenal of Friday, according to Fabrizio Romano Credit: Getty 4 Alexander Isak has put clubs on high alert as news emerged of his desire to leave Newcastle this summer Credit: PA But after the One fan posted on X: "CANCEL THE GYOKERES MEDICAL NOW." The post has racked up almost 16,000 likes. Rival fans also chimed into the chaos, with one saying "Has Gyokeres passed his medical? Cos after this Isak news if I am Arsenal I am gonna pretend he's injured." READ MORE ON ARSENAL One rival fan even said: "I would offer £50million plus Gyokeres for [Isak]. Unless you can cancel the medical that is..." Gyokeres is reportedly booked in for a Friday medical after a transfer dance that saw him demand to leave current Sporting CP. The deal is worth an value of £63.5million for the 27-year-old, who scored 39 league goals last season in Portgual. Fellow Swede Isak was one of the Premier League's best strikers last season, but seemed unavailable after an initial Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 4 The Swedish international scored 23 league goals last season, second in the Premier League behind only Salah Credit: Getty His lack of inclusion in It emerged on Thursday morning that Isak had told the club he is keen to leave. Newcastle contract blunder could cost them Isak He had been involved in a face-off between Newcastle and Should they decide to revisit their pursuit of Isak, Liverpool would likely have to snap the new record transfer fee they paid earlier in the window. The 4


Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘He will not only grow as a player, he will grow as a person' – Brighton boss sets Roma challenge to Evan Ferguson
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has told Ireland striker Evan Ferguson to make the most of his loan move to Roma and become a better player to prove he has a future with the Premier League club.


The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How Liverpool could line up with Alexander Isak AND Hugo Ekitike as Arne Slot considers transfer splurge
ARNE SLOT could have a multitude of options in how he lines up his Liverpool side next season. The Reds manager has overseen the arrivals of stars such as 9 Alexander Isak is a target for Liverpool Credit: Getty 9 The club have already signed Hugo Ekitike Credit: Reuters 9 Marc Guehi could be another target for Liverpool this summer Credit: Getty 9 Arne Slot will have plenty of options next season Credit: Getty The Swede is exploring his options ahead of a potential exit from St James' Park this summer. The striker was left at home by the Magpies as they jetted off on their Far East pre-season tour. The club may not be done there as there is a continued interest in READ MORE ON ALEXANDER ISAK The English defender would be a replacement for Ibrahim Konate - who appears to be on his way out of Anfield at the end of his contract. Should Liverpool complete the mega-money deals, then Slot will have a headache trying to fit in all his new pieces. The Dutchman could stick with the club's proven 4-3-3 formation and add the new signings. Isak would slot into the striker position in place of Darwin Nunez, while Ekitike could support him from the left wing. Most read in Football SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN This would soften the blow of losing Diaz is a target of Darwin Nunez performs tragic Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota's celebration after scoring in first game since his death 9 Slot will also have to shake up the defence, having seen Liverpool have given the manager both Kerkez and Frimpong to take up the mantle of the iconic duo. The defence could further change if Guehi arrives at Anfield. He could be played as the second centre-back next to Virgil van Dijk. 9 9 And of course, there is no forgetting the British record transfer arrival of Wirtz. The German midfielder was signed for He will likely be played in the No.10 role behind the front three and linking up with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Slot could also get inventive and change the formation to feature both Isak and Ekitike as a strike partnership. If this were done in a 3-5-2 formation, it would provide more attacking freedom to both Kerkez and Frimpong in the wing-back roles. It would also give an opportunity to reinvent Robertson, who could fill in on the left side of the back three. This formation could also provide star man Mo Salah with an opportunity to take a rest. 9 9