By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1912 EAT on Thursday 3 July 2025

Liverpool supporters have been gathering outside Anfield to pay their respects to Diogo Jota following news of his tragic death.

Courtney Neary, 26, was among those at the stadium. “He embodied what the club stands for,” she said. “He always gave 100%, and he did it with a smile — those cheeky little celebrations said it all. He was a huge part of why we won the league. I hope we can go on and win it next season for him.”

Fellow fan Chloe described Jota as a fan favourite, pointing to a popular chant based on his shirt number: “It’s one of the best songs the Kop has ever sung.”

A light-hearted video message recorded by Jota in May, in which he cheekily agreed with a fan vote naming the chant Liverpool’s best, was widely shared again in tribute.

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has shared a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota on Instagram, expressing his grief and admiration for his late teammate.

“Diogo, I can’t believe you’re gone. It’s hard to put into words how much this hurts us,” Elliott wrote.

“You were an incredible footballer — the kind that made a difference every single time you stepped on the field. You were humble, hardworking, kind, and always there for anyone that needed anything.

“I feel so lucky to have shared the pitch with you, shared memories and moments I’ll carry with me forever. You’ll always be part of this team, part of the Liverpool family. We will never, ever forget you.”

Diogo Jota’s first and final goals under new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot now carry added poignancy and marked two crucial moments in the club’s Premier League title campaign.

He opened the Dutchman’s reign in perfect fashion, scoring Liverpool’s first league goal of the season in a 2-0 win away at Ipswich on the opening day. Latching onto a pass from Mohamed Salah, Jota slotted coolly past Christian Walton before racing away to celebrate with his now-iconic arm-chomping gesture.

From that opening strike in August to his final goal in April, Jota’s influence never waned. His 65th and last goal for the club came in classic fashion a vital winner in the heated Merseyside derby against Everton on April 2.

Receiving a deft backheel from Luis Díaz, Jota weaved past three defenders before rifling a stunning finish beyond Jordan Pickford in front of the roaring Kop. As the ball hit the net, the chant rang out once again.

Outside Anfield, a growing crowd of fans continues to gather in tribute to Diogo Jota. Strangers are comforting one another, united in shared grief as they exchange stories and memories of the beloved forward.

Families with children have come to pay their respects, many laying down flowers, scarves, and handwritten messages.

The grassy area outside the Main Stand has transformed into a sea of colour and emotion filled with floral tributes, Liverpool shirts, framed photographs, balloons, and candles. Each item tells its own story of admiration and loss.

At the heart of the memorial, a quiet reverence has taken hold. Supporters stand in solemn silence, heads bowed, as they remember a player who gave so much to the club and left far too soon.

As a result, the footballer had been planning to return to Liverpool for pre-season training due to begin on Monday by ferry. To reach England this way, it is understood that Jota was travelling toward the northern Spanish port city of Santander.

The fatal car crash occurred on a highway near a village in the province of Cernadilla (Sanabria).

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was joined by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram today as the pair laid flowers outside Anfield in memory of Diogo Jota. The Liverpool forward tragically died in a car crash while travelling through northern Spain.

Rayner, who was already in the city to visit Everton’s new stadium, described the news as “really shocking” made even more heartbreaking by the fact that Jota had married just ten days earlier and was the father of three young children.

“Being here in Liverpool shows the strength of the outpouring of sympathy  for his wife, for his children, and for his friends and family,” she told reporters.

Mayor Rotheram admitted he initially couldn’t believe the reports of Jota’s death. “At first, I thought it might be fake because that’s the world we live in. But once it was confirmed, my reaction was absolute devastation,” he said.

He described Jota as “one of the fan favourites” and recalled the popular chant dedicated to the Portuguese forward. But for Rotheram, Jota’s legacy extends beyond his goals.

“Not just scoring goals, but the success he brought to the city cannot be forgotten,” he added.

Invest or Donate towards HICGI New Agency Global Media Establishment – Watch video here

Email: editorial@hicginewsagency.com TalkBusiness@hicginewsagency.com WhatsApp +256713137566

Follow us on all social media, type “HICGI News Agency” .