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WATCH: Liverpool pay emotional tribute to Diogo Jota in Premier League opener with family present

WATCH: Liverpool pay emotional tribute to Diogo Jota in Premier League opener with family present

First Posta day ago
Liverpool began their 2025-26 Premier League season with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth in an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Liverpool players stand for a minutes silence in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother. Reuters
Liverpool started their 2025-26 Premier League season with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday, August 16. The night was all about remembering Diogo Jota. The Portuguese forward lost his life in a car accident in Spain last month along with his younger brother Andre Silva.
Jota's family was in the stands as fans and players paid tributes before kick-off, during the match, and after it ended as well. Fans also held up a mosaic reading 'DJ20' and 'AS30'. They also sang 'You'll never walk alone' before the start of the match and observed a moment's silence in honour of Jota and his brother.
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Players from the Liverpool team stood arm-in-arm around the center circle, and staff and players from both clubs wore black armbands.
After the final whistle, Salah was reduced to tears as he stood in front of the storied Kop stand and kept going a song about Jota that was being chanted by the home supporters.
Salah also repeated Jota's two-armed celebration after his goal, while Ekitike and Gakpo also dedicated their goals to Jota.
'Normally at 2-2, everyone knows which player I look to at that moment in time. I would have loved to bring in Diogo Jota but I could not, for terrible reasons," Liverpool manager Arne Slot said.
'But tonight, the fans and the players did what he did for us many times in the past.'
'Diogo's day' marred by racism claim
Federico Chiesa scored in the 88th minute and Mohamed Salah added another goal in stoppage time as Liverpool recovered after throwing away a two-goal lead.
In between goals by Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo that put Liverpool 2-0 ahead, the game was briefly paused in the 28th after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported to referee Anthony Taylor that he was targeted with racist language by a spectator.
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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said the person who abused Semenyo was identified.
Semenyo, a 25-year-old Ghana international, needed to be consoled by teammates after the alleged incident but played on for the whole match and scored in the 64th and 76th to draw Bournemouth level. His second was a brilliant individual goal starting deep inside his own half.
'I don't know how Ant's played on, to be honest, and come up with those goals,' said Bournemouth captain Adam Smith, who added that Semenyo was 'a little bit down.'
(With agency inputs)
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