Liverpool forward Diogo Jota's wife and children attend Anfield game
The 28-year-old and his brother were killed in a car crash in Spain this summer
Last updated 16th Aug 2025
The wife and children of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota joined the crowds at Anfield for Liverpool's first game of the season.
28-year-old Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash this summer, and there was a minute's silence and the playing of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' ahead of Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
The crowd then formed the characters 'AJ 20', recalling Jota's number 20 shirt, and 'AS 30' for his brother, all in the colours of their native Portugal.
In his programme notes, manager Arne Slot wrote: "I believe that Diogo's wife, his children and his family will be in attendance, and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations.
"We are there for them always".
And speaking after the game, Slot told the media "If you have half an hour I can explain how I feel! But the main emotion should be how impressive and powerful the tribute for Diogo was.
"The banner the Kop showed, the way You'll Never Walk Alone was sung, the way they sung for Diogo before the game, in the first minute, after 20 minutes and at the end of the game.
"It was all so, so impressive and so powerful and that is, I think, what my main emotion is after the game."
Commemorations to continue throughout the weekend
A moment's silence will be observed at all top-flight matches this weekend in memory of Jota and his brother, the Premier League has confirmed.
The league has spoken to Liverpool about the most appropriate way to remember the Portuguese star, who was killed in a car crash alongside his brother on July 3 in Spain.
As well as a period of silence prior to kick-off in the matches, players of all clubs will be given black armbands while messaging and imagery will be shared with clubs for them to use on big screens.
Tributes were paid to the brothers prior to last Sunday's Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley, with wreaths laid on the pitch and a period of silence before kick-off.
A minority of Eagles fans broke the silence, eliciting a strong response at the other end of the pitch, as well as from other Eagles supporters who tried to silence those not respecting the tribute.
Arne Slot said: "I don't think this was planned, or that this was the idea of the fan that made some noise. Maybe he wasn't aware of the fact that it was the minute of silence.
"He was just still happy and tried to cheer for his team. And I think then the fans of Palace were trying to calm that person or those persons down, so I don't think he had a bad intention, the guy or people that made noise.
"They tried to calm him down, but that was a bit noisy as well. And then our fans reacted, 'Hey, what's happening here?'.
"So I don't think there's a bad intention to it, because the fans of Crystal Palace and everywhere around the world have paid huge respect to Diogo and Andre and this was, I think, unlucky or, I can't find the right words, but I don't think there was a bad intention in it."
Liverpool fans earlier paid their respects with a rousing rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as the wreaths were brought out, raising a white banner reading 'Diogo J' and featuring the forward's image and number 20.
The club's record goalscorer Ian Rush, Palace chairman Steve Parish and Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt laid the wreaths in the Liverpool end as fans from both sides showed their respect with a standing ovation as the siblings' images were displayed on the big screens inside the stadium.
Liverpool have retired Jota's number 20 shirt in tribute to the player.