Federico Chiesa has emotionally reflected on his first league goal for Liverpool, sharing that some of his first thoughts went to Diogo Jota after his decisive opening day strike.
Liverpool’s first game of the Premier League season was emotionally charged as it was the first competitive match since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
Anfield paid tribute before the match with a mosaic for him and his brother, Andre Silva, and Mo Salah was left in tears after the final whistle.
It was a dramatic fixture against Bournemouth, with a 2-0 lead relinquished before Chiesa came off the bench to score the decisive third goal, and his first in the league for the club.
You could tell what the goal meant on the day, but in collaboration with the Premier League, Chiesa spoke briefly, but openly, about how some of his first thoughts went to Jota.
“First of all, better late than never! It took me a while to score,” Chiesa first said of his Kop-end goal.
“But I think it was worth the wait because it was amazing to me sliding in front of the Kop, and celebrate like that.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“My first thought after the goal was for my family, but also for Diogo.
“I think he was up there somewhere looking, and he helped us get the win. He’s always with us.”
It is hard to fathom how the Liverpool squad were feeling that day, and the ones that have followed, but Chiesa’s words are a reminder of how ever-present their friend and teammate remains.
Liverpool players want to do more to honour Diogo Jota
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Dinis and Duarte, Diogo Jota's children, as mascots with Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A permanent memorial is being prepared at Anfield for Jota, but Liverpool’s senior players are keen to do more to remember their former teammate.
Speaking last month, Virgil van Dijk expressed how he and the squad feel a deep responsibility in ensuring the No. 20’s memory and legacy lives on.
“There are moments when it is tough because, like I said, you will remember Diogo whether you are prepared or not, whether you can cope with it at that time or not,” the captain told the Times.
“It’s about how you then react, and the boys have been outstanding.
“The senior boys have discussed it and we want to obviously honour his legacy, not only for the next year, two years, three years.
“He needs to be remembered for ever and that’s something we’re going to discuss with the club, how we’re going to be able to do that.
“We have his locker here at the training ground, we have his locker at the stadium. The memorial at the stadium is coming.
“But I think we can do a lot more in terms of remembering him, and that’s something me and the senior boys will be looking after. And I feel that responsibility in order to make that happen, too.”