As the floodlights flickered on at Anfield this Friday night, a palpable wave of emotion swept across the stands. Liverpool’s Premier League title defense was about to begin against Bournemouth, but the focus was unmistakably elsewhere. The absence of Diogo Jota, a beloved forward whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident in northern Spain last month, hung over the stadium like a heavy cloud. Alongside his brother Andre Silva, Jota’s untimely death at just 28 years old left the football world in mourning—and tonight, the club and its supporters united to honor his memory in a way only Liverpool can.
Jota’s family—his wife Rute Cardoso and their three children—were expected to be in attendance, surrounded by the unwavering support of the Liverpool community. The club had prepared a series of heartfelt tributes: a moment of silence observed not just at Anfield, but at every Premier League match this weekend, with players donning black armbands as a sign of collective grief. The Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand shimmered with a fan-led mosaic, a visual testament to Jota’s impact both on and off the pitch.
Manager Arne Slot captured the mood in his programme notes: “We know that this will be a very emotional occasion, given it is the first league game we have played since we lost Diogo and Andre. As I have said previously, the tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special, and I know that tonight we will come together to honour them once more. I believe that Diogo’s wife, his children and his family will be in attendance and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations. We are there for them always.”
The players themselves wore a ‘Forever 20’ emblem on their shirts and stadium jackets—a tribute that will remain throughout the 2025-26 season. The number 20 shirt, which Jota wore during Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th league title run last year, has been permanently retired after consultation with Rute Cardoso and the rest of Jota’s family. The gesture is a rare one in English football, underscoring just how much Jota meant to the club and its supporters.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, too, paid their respects. Wolves, where Jota spent three impactful years before moving to Liverpool, planned their own tributes for their season opener against Manchester City. Across England, the football community paused to reflect on a life that burned brightly and ended far too soon.
Yet, as the tributes unfolded, there was also the matter of football. The match itself—the first of the new Premier League season—marked the debut of several new Liverpool signings. Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez all took their places in Arne Slot’s first league lineup. The anticipation was high, especially for Wirtz, the £116 million acquisition expected to bring a new creative spark to the Reds’ attack. The starting XI read: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
One notable absence was Ben Doak, who withdrew from the squad on the eve of the match as he closed in on a $33.8 million transfer to Bournemouth. The Scottish winger, fresh off a successful loan at Middlesbrough, is set to join the Cherries after they sold Dango Ouattara to Brentford. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s transfer activity continued apace, with the confirmation of Giovanni Leoni’s arrival from Parma for $35.2 million. The 18-year-old defender will wear the number 15 shirt, though he was not eligible for tonight’s match.
For all the new faces, it was the memory of Jota that colored every moment. NBC Sports analysts Rebecca Lowe, Tim Howard, Robbie Mustoe, and Robbie Earle discussed the emotional toll Jota’s death would take on Liverpool throughout the campaign. “Jota will mean everything to Liverpool in 2025,” Lowe remarked, echoing the sentiment felt by fans and players alike.
Former teammates and friends shared their memories, painting a picture of a man who was as magnetic off the pitch as he was on it. James Milner, who played alongside Jota at Liverpool, recalled their final conversation: “We were messaging each other the night before. Nothing major, just checking in and asking each other how things were going. He was about to head back from Portugal for pre-season training, having got married a few days earlier. I loved the guy, absolutely loved him.” Milner, now at Brighton, took the number 20 shirt in Jota’s honor, saying, “Every day when I put my kit on, I’ll think of Jots.”
Jota’s humility, kindness, and ability to bond with teammates were legendary. Whether it was his fascination with snooker and horse racing, his passion for esports, or his infectious sense of humor, he left a mark on everyone he met. Oliver Kay of the EA SPORTS FC Team described Jota as “a true trailblazer, seamlessly bridging the worlds of football and gaming.” Kay recalled Jota’s “video game celebration” and his willingness to stay late after promotional shoots, signing autographs and chatting with fans.
Andy Pearce, who helped Jota settle in Wolverhampton, remembered a young man with no airs or graces, always making an effort to include others. “Getting to know Diogo, you quickly worked out he was good at everything,” Pearce said, recalling Segway races and Jota’s knack for winning, even at games he’d never played before.
Jack Walker, who worked in communications at both Wolves and Liverpool, shared how Jota’s competitive edge was matched only by his warmth and generosity. During lockdown, Jota’s involvement in the ePremier League brought much-needed joy to colleagues and fans alike. “He was just the most British non-British football player you’d ever meet and he fitted perfectly into this country and the culture of football here,” Walker noted.
Monica Ferreira, who ran a coffee shop in Wolverhampton, spoke of Jota’s humility and approachability, recalling how he and Rute would always make time for fans and staff. “He was so humble and polite. And just so nice to everyone and accommodating with his time,” she said. For many, Jota was not just a footballer, but a friend and a cherished member of the community.
As Liverpool’s title defense began, the sense of loss was impossible to ignore. But so was the determination to honor Jota’s legacy—not just with silence and ceremony, but with the passion and unity that define the club. The match against Bournemouth was more than just a game; it was a celebration of a life well lived, and a promise that Diogo Jota will never walk alone.
