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Liverpool and Wolves came together at Anfield in a deeply emotional encounter to honor Diogo Jota, marking the first meeting of his two former clubs since his tragic passing. The 28-year-old Portuguese forward lost his life in a car accident in Spain in July, alongside his 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva.
Jota had spent three seasons with Wolves before moving to Liverpool in 2020. During the Premier League match, two of his three children, Dinis and Duarte, participated as mascots, leading Liverpool’s players out of the tunnel ahead of captain Virgil van Dijk. His wife, Rute Cardoso, was also present at the stadium. Before kickoff, fans in the Kop displayed a banner reading, “Diogo Jota, forever in our hearts.” Wolves supporters echoed the tribute with chants of “Diogo, Diogo, Diogo,” while all of Anfield stood to applaud as Liverpool followers sang in his memory during the 20th minute of the game. Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch scored the opening goal and dedicated it to Jota by imitating the shark-style celebration the late player was known for.
The day before the match, Wolves players and staff paid their respects by laying wreaths outside Anfield. Jota had joined Wolves initially on a loan from Atletico Madrid in 2017 and amassed 44 goals across 131 appearances for the club. Following his transfer to Liverpool, he scored 65 goals in 182 games, contributing significantly to the club’s successful runs, including victories in the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2022, as well as the Premier League title last season. In tribute, Liverpool retired Jota’s number 20 shirt in honor of his legacy.
Ahead of Liverpool’s final home game of 2025, head coach Arne Slot reflected on the past year and expressed hope for comfort for Jota’s family. Slot acknowledged the difficulties of the first Christmas without the player, saying, “Reflecting on everything that has happened over the last 12 months ignites a rollercoaster of emotions but it is normal at this time of year to look back to everything that has happened.” He added, “Doing so leads me to think especially of the family of Diogo Jota on what will be their first Christmas without him. It is not my place to tell them where they should look for comfort – if that is even possible – but I can only hope that the feeling of love and affection that Diogo still generates brings them some solace.”
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