Liverpool fan Kelly and her husband Joseph were among those to pay their respects to the Liverpool forward
A Liverpool fan and her husband, who supports Manchester United, paid a touching tribute to Diogo Jota near Anfield. Kelly Parsons was one of hundreds of supporters who paid their respects following the tragic news of the death of Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 26.
The Spanish civil guard said the Liverpool FC forward died alongside his brother after their car went off the A52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora, Spain at 12.40am on Thursday. According to the Zamora provincial council, the vehicle, which police said was a Lamborghini, caught fire which spread to the surrounding vegetation.
Jota got married just two weeks ago to his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso. Shortly after the news of his death broke this morning, a makeshift shrine to the Portuguese international was set up on 97 Avenue by Anfield.
Speaking to the ECHO at Anfield about how she found out about the devastating news, Liverpool fan Kelly said: “I was actually asleep. My husband woke me up and said, ‘Diogo Jota’s died in a car crash along with his brother’. I didn't believe it.”
Liverpool fan Kelly Parsons and her husband Joseph, who supports Manchester United, paying respects to Diogo Jota at Anfield
Liverpool fan Kelly Parsons and her husband Joseph, who supports Manchester United, paying respects to Diogo Jota at Anfield
The Liverpool forward signed for Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £41m. Jota began his career in his native Portugal, he spent time at Atletico Madrid, in Spain, before coming to England.
He played an important role throughout his five years with the Reds, including scoring six times in the league last season. In total, Jota found the net 65 times in 182 appearances.
Kelly said: “We’ve gone from such highs to such a low now. We’ve been living off this high of the Premier League victory.
“He’s one of the finest players we’ve had in this era. He is certainly one of my favourite players, I'm absolutely devastated. I can't believe it. He always had a smile on his face. I don’t think he was playing as often as he should have. He was absolutely fantastic.”
It was a no-brainer for Kelly to come to Anfield with her husband, Joseph. She said: “My husband is a Man United fan and he laid the scarf down there.
“He asked me, would it be disrespectful if I bought my Man United scarf out? I said, absolutely not. Times like this bring everybody together. The whole football community, the whole world to be honest.”
Joseph's Man United scarf is in the centre of the photo, just below the flowers
Joseph's Man United scarf is in the centre of the photo, just below the flowers
Kelly recalled Jota’s amazing ability in the air and his last-minute winner in a dramatic 4-3 win against Tottenham in April 2023 as her fondest memories of the forward.
Kelly said: “What I remember is the way he headed a goal in, he wasn’t exactly a tall guy but he could smash one in. The game against Spurs is the one that comes up for me. I can’t believe it’s him and his brother. He only got married two weeks ago.
“Poor guy, poor family. I hope he’s looked after in heaven or wherever he goes. He will be remembered.”
Joseph was joined by many Evertonians at Anfield today. Steve Denton, 66, walked up from County Road in his Everton shirt to pay his respects. He said: “It’s devastating.
“It’s not about football today. It’s about the city isn’t it? A man has just lost his life. He’s left a family behind. What more can you say?”