Last Liverpool goal had special meaning for Jota
Jota and his brother Andre Silva died when their Lamborghini went off the road in the accident in northern Spain on July 3.
The Portugal forward was on his way back to England to start pre-season training after helping Liverpool win the Premier League title last term.
Jota's final goal for Liverpool was the vital winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield in April.
Speaking in an interview just weeks before his death, Jota admitted he felt proud to be able to contribute to Arne Slot's team by scoring in such an important game.
'It was a very tough season for me but I was always there fighting and I could help the team that day and I'm proud of what I could still do,' he said in the documentary titled 'Champions 24-25: The Inside Story'.
'It's hard to describe. That's the feeling I look for when I play football, that's why you put all your life and all your efforts to moments like that, moments where you can decide an important game.'
Jota, 28, spent five years with Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020.
He won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield.
'It is something I could not even dream as a kid, I wanted to play in the Premier League but I could never imagine to win it,' Jota said in the documentary about his Liverpool success.
'Pictures that will be shown forever. It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream.'
Liverpool have posthumously retired his number 20 shirt and the club have announced that Jota will be remembered with a permanent sculpture outside Anfield, while a mural of the star already adorns the wall of a building near the stadium. - AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
13 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Liverpool 'agree deal' for Parma prospect Leoni
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed today that a deal to sign 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma has been agreed between the clubs. According to reports, the Premier League champions will pay £26 million (RM148 million) for the highly-rated prospect, who has played just 17 Serie A games for Parma. Liverpool have already splashed out £260 million on the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to build from a position of strength after romping to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last season. However, the departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen had left Slot with just three centre-backs to choose from. One of those, Joe Gomez has missed most of pre-season due to injury, while doubts remain over the future of Ibrahima Konate, who has just one year left on his contract at Anfield. "The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn't signed for us yet. The moment when he signs for us I can go into more detail," said Slot at a press conference ahead of Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth tomorrow. Despite Leoni's arrival, Liverpool could add more centre-back cover before the end of the transfer window with reports linking them with a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Liverpool have not won back-to-back league titles since 1984 and Slot expects it be an even tougher challenge to defend their crown given the turnover in his squad. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher have also departed, while the club is still coming to terms with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month. "The main reason that is so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league. It's unbelievable if you are able to do it in this league, "added Slot. "This year will be even harder than before. "We have lost five to six players who played quite a lot of minutes last season, and brought in four, so it's normal there is adaptation." The fee to bring Wirtz to England from Leverkusen could rise to a British transfer record £116 million. Slot, though, believes the German international has the mentality to cope with the pressure of that price tag. "When you see him play he is so creative. He is mentally strong, he doesn't get distracted by a transfer fee or anything else," added the Dutch coach. "Good players always find a way to play well in good teams. He has to adjust to England, the league and the intensity, and his team-mates. His adjustment has already gone quite well, more than we expected." - AFP
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Liverpool agree £26m deal for Parma defender Giovanni Leoni
LIVERPOOL manager Arne Slot has confirmed an agreement with Parma to sign 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni. The Premier League champions will reportedly pay £26 million for the young centre-back, who has only made 17 Serie A appearances. This follows Liverpool's £260 million summer spending spree on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez. The departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen left Slot with limited defensive options. Joe Gomez has been sidelined for most of pre-season, while Ibrahima Konate's future remains uncertain with one year left on his contract. 'The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn't signed for us yet,' Slot said ahead of Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Despite Leoni's impending arrival, Liverpool may still pursue Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for additional defensive cover. Slot acknowledged the challenge of defending their title, citing squad changes and strong competition. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Caoimhin Kelleher have all left the club this summer. The tragic loss of Diogo Jota in a car crash last month has also impacted the squad. 'The main reason that is so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league,' Slot added. Florian Wirtz's transfer fee could reach a British record £116 million, but Slot praised the German's mental strength. 'When you see him play he is so creative,' Slot said of Wirtz. The Dutch coach believes Wirtz has adapted well to Liverpool despite the pressure of his price tag. - AFP
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ex-KL City coach picks Citizens to win EPL title
KUALA LUMPUR: Manchester City will be the team to beat in the new Premier League season, said former KL City coach Bojan Hodak. Hodak believes defending champions Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, face a bigger challenge this time around as the league kicks off tomorrow with the Reds hosting Bournemouth at Anfield. The Croatian coach feels Manchester City, who had a disappointing campaign last term by finishing third, are primed for redemption this season with a ninth Premier League crown. Hodak said the arrivals of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and French forward Rayan Cherki have further strengthened Pep Guardiola's side. "City will be the favourites to win the Premier League. They didn't do well last season, but I believe Guardiola will be looking for redemption. They had a good squad last season, but were unlucky with injuries and players losing form. "Guardiola has the full support of the owners, and they can easily spend £100 million (RM570m) on a new player when needed. They still have the best squad, and for me, that will make the difference," said Hodak who led Persib Bandung to their second Indonesia Liga 1 crown in May. On Liverpool, Hodak said while they retain a strong squad, ageing key players and the need to integrate new signings could prove challenging for Slot. "Liverpool have a strong squad that won the title, but the key players are getting older. Slot has the task of blooding new players. "Title defence is always difficult. Last season he continued with (Jurgen) Klopp's blueprint, but now he will have to include new players, and this could affect their performance," he said. As for the rest of the title contenders, Hodak gave Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea only an outside chance of lifting the trophy. "Arsenal have been playing good football, but they always finish second. I think they lack players with character — it's similar to the Arsene Wenger years when they battled Man United under Alex Ferguson. Ferguson won because his squad had the winning mentality. "United are still rebuilding. Their coach Ruben Amorim was successful in Portugal, but England is different. He has strengthened the team, but is still inexperienced here. "Chelsea are the World Club champions, but they have issues with consistency. If the coach can find the right set-up with their big squad, they could achieve something, but I still think they will have a hard time."
