Liverpool are set to face Diogo Jota's former side Wolves this weekend
Diogo Jota celebrates scoring for Liverpool
Diogo Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolves in 2020(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Wolves paid a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota at the start of the Premier League season. The late Portuguese star spent three years at Molineux before joining Liverpool in 2020, with his two former sides meeting at Anfield on Saturday, December 27.
Jota tragically died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in July. The football world was rocked by the Liverpool forward’s untimely death, just months after he had helped the Reds win the Premier League title.
While the 28-year-old was beloved at Anfield, he also endeared himself to the Wolves fanbase. The Portugal international helped the club win the Championship and starred in their run to the Europa League quarter-finals. The Molineux crowd demonstrated their adoration for Jota ahead of Wolves’ opening game against Manchester City in August.
Before kick-off, a giant tifo was unfurled in the South Bank, showing Jota celebrating a goal for Wolves. Below the picture another banner read: “We’ll remember you when you walk in fields of gold.”
The latter was a lyric from Jota’s favourite song, Fields of Gold by Sting. Supporters also held up black and gold cards to create the background for the Jota tribute.
The Old Gold Pack fan group had started a fundraiser for the tifo and also designed several other banners that were displayed inside Molineux. During the game, Wolves fans cheered for Jota throughout the 18th minute, the number he had worn for the club.
A tribute to Diogo Jota
Wolves dedicated a tifo to Diogo Jota before their game against Manchester City in August
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Both Jota’s parents and his wife Rute Cardoso were in attendance to witness the tributes to their loved one. The Liverpool icon had married Cardoso, the mother of their three children, just 11 days before his death.
Former Wolves captain Ruben Neves was also at Molineux, alongside Portugal boss Roberto Martinez. Jota had described his feelings towards Wolves after sealing his move to Liverpool in 2020.
He wrote on social media: "Thank you @Wolves 3 amazing years with so many achievements and memories! It was really a big pleasure being part of your growth... I will never forget."
Diogo Jota's parents, wife Rute Cardoso and former Wolves star Ruben Neves
Jota's family and former Wolves star Ruben Neves witnessed the tributes at Molineux
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Following his death, Jota was inducted into the Wolves hall of fame. After initially joining on loan from Atletico Madrid in 2017, he scored 44 goals in 131 appearances.
His younger brother Andre, 25, was also a professional footballer with Portuguese side Penafiel. Liverpool paid tribute to the brothers during their opening 4-2 win over Bournemouth.
The Anfield crowd showed their appreciation for Jota and Silva with DJ20 and AS30 displays across the Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish stands before the match. An emotional Mohamed Salah used his former teammate’s crocodile celebration after scoring late on.
Following the win, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: “I think Mo felt after the game how special that was and probably he felt the emotion. We all knew his family is here, his wife is here and his children are here.
“For them it might be special to hear how much he is loved over here and with the fans and the banner and what they did. But we also feel the emotions of how much grief they still have. That mixed emotions maybe led to Mo being emotional and I think I felt the same without being in tears, but I definitely felt the same emotions.”
Wolves arrive at Anfield still looking for their first league victory of the season, having picked up just two points from 17 games. The Reds will be confident of adding to their opponents’ poor form after winning four of their last six games during an unbeaten run.