Liverpool legend pays touching Diogo Jota tribute on first match at Anfield since tragedy

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson led an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota as the Reds returned to Anfield for the first time since his death. The Portuguese forward died in a tragic car accident in Spain alongside his brother last month.

Tributes flooded in from across the footballing world, with fans leaving their flowers and memories outside of Anfield. Arne Slot’s side played their first game at Anfield since Jota’s passing on Monday evening.

They took on Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in a double-header - a game that represented Liverpool’s final pre-season game ahead of the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley.

The game also represented an opportunity for Anfield to pay tribute to Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Liverpool icon Thompson took to the pitch alongside Bilbao president Jon Uriarte to lay a wreath.

The pair laid the wreaths in front of the goal at the Kop end of Anfield, with Kenny Dalglish doing similar in Hong Kong, while Ian Rush also did the same in Yokohama. During Thompson’s latest tribute, fans chanted and sang Jota’s song.

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk lifts lid on 'surreal' impact Diogo Jota's death has had on Liverpool squad

READ MORE: Cody Gakpo reveals Liverpool players' gesture to Diogo Jota family after his tragic death

The game was also stopped in the 20th minute for a round of applause, while Jota’s song was a regular soundtrack across the stadium. The recent tributes come after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had written a touching message to Jota in Liverpool’s programme ahead of taking on Bilbao.

"It has, of course, been a very challenging time," the defender wrote. "First and foremost for Diogo and Andre’s family, for Rute and the kids. They are the people who must always come first in all of this. We must never forget that, and we cannot imagine their pain in this moment.

"It is still a bit surreal, to be honest, but we are coping in the best way possible as a team, and we are all trying to do the best job we can in order to get through this really difficult time.

"With everything that happened, it has been strange having to now try to carry on with work, with football. We will never forget Diogo, of course, but we just have to try to honour his memory. That’s what we try to do each and every day.

"I always come back to the fact that we have to look after Diogo’s family, his parents, and that’s the main thing. You think about so many different things, and it’s difficult to process. You can’t imagine the pain, the feeling that they have. That’s why we try to be there as much as we can, and for each other as well.

"That’s also why it is very important that we honour and carry on his legacy, not only for now and the next couple of months, but for as long as we can, because that is what he deserves."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.