Minute's silence had to be cut short
Liverpool playing first competitive game since Jota's death
Reds take early lead against Palace
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Both sets of players lined up on the halfway line to pay their respects to the former Liverpool forward and his young brother who died in a car crash last month. The tribute was initially respected by both sets of players and fans, but, following shouting by a small number of people in the crowd, the referee called the tribute short. The initial shouts were met with boos, forcing the referee to intervene and cut the silence prematurely.
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PUNDITS SHOCKED BY BOOS
PUNDITS SHOCKED BY BOOS
PUNDITS SHOCKED BY BOOS
Following the need to stop what should have been a touching tribute to Jota and Silva, TNT Sports commentators Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist were critical of the crowd. Fletcher said: "And why on earth there are a few inside the stadium who would spoil that moment. It is absolutely beyond me."
McCoist added: "It defies logic that."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This is Liverpool's first competitive fixture since the death of Jota. The Reds played their first game without the Portuguese forward in a friendly against Preston, at which tributes were observed impeccably. At Wembley, the Liverpool fans held banners with Jota's face and wanted to show their appreciation for a special player who provided so many outstanding moments in a Liverpool shirt.
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WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
There will be further tributes to Jota when Liverpool return to the Premier League next weekend as the club wishes to remember a forward who played such a crucial role in their Premier League success last campaign. They lift the curtain on the new league season against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday night.