Liverpool Remember Jota Before First Anfield Game

Liverpool paid tribute to Diogo Jota successful their first lucifer astatine Anfield since nan precocious forward's death.

The 28-year-old Portugal world died successful a car crash successful Spain on pinch his relative Andre Silva, 25, successful July.

The Reds played Athletic Bilbao successful a double header of pre-season friendlies connected Monday, pinch games astatine 17:00 and 20:00 BST.

Liverpool fable Phil Thomson and Athletic president Jon Uriarte brought wreaths retired connected to nan transportation and laid them connected nan separator of nan six-yard container earlier nan opening game.

The advertisements astir Anfield publication 'Rest successful Peace Diogo Jota and Andre Silva - You'll Never Walk Alone', while fans sang astir Jota.

Reds supporters besides held up flags and banners remembering their number 20 - a number that has been retired by nan nine this summertime - and they, arsenic good arsenic some sides, stood to applaud arsenic nan crippled against Bilbao was stopped successful nan 20th minute.

Jota scored 65 goals successful 182 appearances for nan Reds, helping them triumph nan Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, pursuing his presence from Wolves successful 2020.

"I cognize that you will want to salary your tributes before, during and aft nan games, and I cognize that we will perceive his opus ringing retired passim nan evening," said Reds leader Arne Slot successful his lucifer programme notes.

"It has been a reliable clip for everyone connected pinch nan club, but particularly for Diogo's family, his wife, his children and friends.

"We cannot ideate nan symptom that they person been going through, and nan nine will proceed to springiness them each nan support they tin going forward. We will ever transportation him pinch america successful our hearts, successful our thoughts, wherever we go.

"Diogo's passing has had a large effect connected america all, but what has been truthful important has been nan emotion and attraction shown from nan shot world, and successful peculiar of people nan Liverpool FC community."

The Reds play Crystal Palace successful nan Community Shield astatine Wembley connected Sunday, 10 August, and unfastened nan Premier League play astatine Anfield against Bournemouth connected Friday, 15 August.