Emotional scenes unfolded at Anfield on Saturday.
Before kick-off, Virgil van Dijk walked onto the pitch with both of Diogo Jota’s sons.
Foto: PETER BYRNE / STELLA PICTURES
Foto: PETER BYRNE / STELLA PICTURES
Foto: MARK KERTON/SHUTTERSTOCK / SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL/IBL
Photo: ADAM VAUGHAN / EPA
For the first time since Diogo Jota’s tragic fatal accident at the beginning of July this year, his former clubs Liverpool and Wolverhampton meet.
And before the match, Jota’s two sons, Dinis and Duarte, got to step out onto the field as mascots. Jota’s wife, Rute, was also present at Anfield on Saturday.
Since the death, Liverpool supporters have sung a 20th-minute stand-up chant, Jota’s shirt number, about the Portuguese. And in the 20th minute of today’s match, the crowd stood up in unison and honored the Portuguese.
“Trying to use it as a strength”
– We have discussed it in the team, but we have reached a point where it does not affect us. It is obviously a sign of respect from our supporters. It’s up to the fans to decide what they want to do, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said till The Times before the match.
– I remember the match against Preston, then it was really hard. But that was two weeks after the accident. Now we’re at the point where we’re trying to use that as a strength.
The match is in progress – the text is updated.
