Jota’s Memory Lives On: Liverpool Beats Bournemouth in Emotional Opener

16 August-Kolkata, India: On Saturday, the current reigning English Premier League(EPL) champions Liverpool started their campaign in a grand way by winning over Bournemouth by 4-2 at their home ground, Anfield. But before starting the match, Liverpool fans and player remembered their late number 20 Diogo Jota, who lost his life in a car crash along with his brother Andre Silva in Spain the previous month.

As the players and fans paid tribute to the late brothers before kickoff, Jota’s family was present in the stands during the match and even after the match ended. Additionally, fans displayed a mosaic that said “DJ20” and “AS30.”

Before the game began, they also sang “You’ll never walk alone” and observed a moment of silence in memory of Jota and his brother.

Players and additional staff members from both the teams wore black armbands, while Liverpool players stood arm in arm around the centre circle.

Players emotional tribute to Diogo Jota

After the match ended, Salah couldn’t hold back his tears as a song about Jota that the home crowd was chanting when he stood in front of the legendary Kop stand. The Egyptian maestro also paid tribute to his former teammate by celebrating Jota’s iconic two-arm celebration after his goal.

Meanwhile, newcomer Hugo Ekitike and Dutchman Cody Gakpo dedicated the goals to the late Portuguese forward.

Liverpool FC’s Dutch manager Arne Slot also paid tribute to the late player and said “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.”

He further added that “But tonight, the fans and the players did what he did for us many times in the past.”

Diogo’s Day becomes a day of racism

The Italian Federico Chiesa scored the third goal in the 88th minute, and the Egyptian Mohammad Salah scored the final goal for the Reds in the stoppage time to get Liverpool through after giving away a two-goal lead.

A 2-0 lead was held by Liverpool after two goals were scored by Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike, but the match was momentarily stopped in the 28th minute when referee Anthony Taylor was told by Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo that a racist gesture had been made towards him by a spectator. It was later stated by the Cherries’ Spanish manager Adoni Iraola that the person was identified.

The 25-year-old Ghanaian consoled his teammates after the disgraceful incident.. But he later replied in a brutal style after he scored two goals for the Cherries and levelled the scoring. His second goal, which began deep within his half, was an outstanding individual effort.

Bournemouth skipper Adam Smith later highlighted on the incident and said “I don’t know how Ant’s played on, to be honest, and come up with those goals.”