"Chiesa Dedicates Liverpool's Win to Diogo Jota: 'It Was His Day'"
Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa dedicated his side's dramatic 4-2 victory over Bournemouth in their Premier League opener to the late Diogo Jota, calling it "Diogo's day." The Reds forward tragically lost his life at the age of 28 in a car crash in northern Spain in July, alongside his brother Andre Silva, who was 25.
Emotional tributes poured in before, during, and after the match at Anfield, culminating in a powerful display of remembrance as Mohamed Salah was seen in tears while applauding the fans at full-time.
Chiesa, who scored Liverpool's third goal in the 88th minute before Salah added a late effort, expressed his feelings to BBC Sport: "[The goal] was a great moment for me, but my thoughts go to Diogo. I think for what we have seen, it was his day. The feeling the fans gave me, chanting his song all the way through the match, was very emotional. After the goal, my thoughts went to his family, his brother Andre. That's the only thing I could say."
With Jota's family in attendance, the atmosphere was charged with emotion. A rousing rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" preceded a minute of silence, during which a fan-led mosaic in the Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish stand displayed "DJ20" and "AS30." Fans sang "Oh, he wears the number 20" as the players entered the pitch, and in the 20th minute, a flag in the Kop read, "Anfield will always be your home."
Liverpool initially led 2-0, but Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo struck twice to level the match. Reds boss Arne Slot reflected on the emotional weight of the game, saying, "Normally at 2-2, everyone knows which player I look to at that moment in time. I would have loved to bring in Diogo Jota, but I could not for terrible reasons. But the fans and the players did what he did for us many times in the past."
Slot continued, "The main emotion I think should be how impressive and how powerful the tribute for Diogo was. I actually didn't want to go in after the game because I found it so special how our fans reacted today. I think Mo felt, after the game, how special that was. He probably also felt the emotion because we all knew his (Jota's) family is here, his wife is here, his children are here. For them, it might be special to hear how much he is loved over here."
In honor of Jota, a moment of silence will be observed at all Premier League matches this weekend, with players wearing black armbands. Messages and images will be displayed on big screens in stadiums, and Liverpool's players will sport a "Forever 20" emblem on their shirts and stadium jackets throughout the season.
The Reds won a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last season, with Jota wearing the number 20 shirt, which the club has decided to retire after consulting with Jota's wife Rute Cardoso and family members.
Tributes are also planned by Jota's former club Wolves for their season opener at home against Manchester City on Saturday.
.jpg)
