The deputy prime minister met with fans as they gathered outside the ground this afternoon
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, leave a floral tribute in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28. Picture date: Thursday July 3, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, leave a floral tribute in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28. Picture date: Thursday July 3, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
(Image: PA)
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has laid floral tributes outside Anfield as fans gathered to mourn the death of Diogo Jota. As hundreds of devastated Liverpool fans came together to remember the striker, Ms Rayner laid a red and white bouquet outside the ground alongside Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.
The Ashton-under-Lyme MP, who had been speaking at the Local Government Association (LGA) conference at ACC Liverpool, joined fans outside the stadium this morning. She stood for a moment of reflection alongside Mr Rotheram next to other flowers and Liverpool scarves laid outside Anfield.
Jota, 28, was travelling with his brother, Andre Silva, in the Zamora region of Sanabria when the incident occurred. According to the Zamora provincial council, firefighters attended the scene on the A52, known as the Palacios de Sanabria, after the vehicle caught fire.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 1am on Thursday morning, with the vehicle heading towards nearby Benavente. Local reports have claimed the accident was the result of a blown-out tyre.
The Portugal international married long-time partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, with whom he had three children. Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolves in September 2020.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, leave a floral tribute in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28. Picture date: Thursday July 3, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, leave a floral tribute in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28. Picture date: Thursday July 3, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
His brother, who is two years younger, was a professional for Portuguese second-tier team Penafiel. Liverpool FC released an official statement this morning following Jota's death.
The statement read: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support."
Diogo Jota was a favourite among Liverpool fans
Diogo Jota was a favourite among Liverpool fans (Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
Flowers and messages of tribute to Jota have been laid around Anfield today.
One message quoted the club's chant for the forward, saying: "Ooooh he wears the number 20. RIP Diogo YNWA. Forever Red." Liverpool Council confirmed its flags would fly at half mast as a mark of respect for Jota.
He played 182 times for the Reds, scoring 65 times. He was part of the Premier League title winning side last season, as well as winning the FA Cup and League Cup while at Anfield.
Jota was capped 49 times by his country, scoring 14 goals.