The death of Diogo Jota has impacted Liverpool's players in several ways and ahead of facing the Portuguese's former club, Wolves, Virgil van Dijk has opened up on the impact of his passing
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Liverpool fans display a banner in tribute to the late Diogo Jota as the team prepares for kick off prior to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on October 29, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Liverpool have kept Diogo Jota close to their hearts(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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Virgil van Dijk says that Liverpool are 'still coming to terms' with Diogo Jota's tragic death. Jota, who was 28, died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash in July.
On Saturday, Liverpool and Wolves, the Portuguese's final two clubs, face off at Anfield in the Premier League. It marks the first time that the teams have met since the brothers' deaths.
Jota's wife, Rute, will be at the match while their two sons, Dinis and Duarte, are both set to be mascots and walk out with the players. In a classy tribute, Van Dijk dedicated a portion of his programme notes to Jota and his family.
"Saturday marks our last fixture of 2025 and when I reflect back on the year there have been a wide range of emotions for everybody at the club," the Liverpool captain began. "There have been some incredible highs, of course.
"To become Premier League champions, as we did back in April, was incredible. Lifting that trophy in front of you guys at Anfield is a memory that I will never forget, I can assure you. It was a real team effort and a deserved reward for a season of hard work, on and off the pitch.
"Soon after that, though, came the most devastating of lows. The loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July was something none of us could ever have prepared for, and something all of us are still coming to terms with.
"Our thoughts, as ever, remain with Diogo and Andre's family. They will never, ever be forgotten, and we will carry their memory always."
Van Dijk went on to write: "In terms of football, this season has been mixed, to say the least. We have seen a lot of changes in terms of the squad, with players leaving and new players arriving, and I think it's fair to say that we have not yet shown our very best, in terms of consistency.
GONDOMAR, PORTUGAL - JULY 05: Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, football players for Liverpool FC, carry floral tributes which read "20" and "30" as they arrive with teammates at a funeral held for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar on July 05, 2025 in Gondomar, Portugal. Diogo Jota was a professional football player for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team, while Andre Silva played for FC Penafiel in Portugal's second tier. The brothers died in a car accident in the province of Zamora, Spain, on July 3. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk was at Diogo Jota's funeral
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"We have had some good games and some memorable victories, still, but it has also been extremely challenging, with some really tough moments along the way. As captain, trust me when I say I feel those tough moments as much as anyone.
"Now though, the focus is solely on Saturday's game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where we will be looking to build on some positive recent results, and end the year on a high in front of our supporters at Anfield.
"I know that a lot of people will be looking at this game, looking at our opponents' position in the league table and expecting us to win, but we know that this will be an extremely tough game against a team which will have a lot of motivation."
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