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Liverpool paid a tear-jerking tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva ahead of their double-header of friendlies against Athletic Bilbao on Monday night.
Arne Slot’s side played the Basque club twice in back-to-back matches a couple of hours apart in their first fixtures at Anfield since the tragic deaths of the two brothers, who were involved in a car crash in northern Spain last month.
Jota’s passing came just two weeks after he married Rute, his childhood sweetheart.
The siblings were honoured before pre-season matches against Preston North End, AC Milan and Yokohama FM, but back at Anfield, Reds legend Phil Thompson and Bilbao president Jon Uriarte laid wreaths on the pitch, in front of the Kop.
The billboard around the pitch read, ‘Rest in peace Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, You’ll Never Walk Alone’, while supporters chanted Jota’s name when Thompson and Uriate walked onto the field. The chorus began again at the start of the match.
The crowd also held up flags and banners to remember Jota and stood to applaud – alongside both teams – in the 20th minute, a nod to the forward’s shirt number.
However, Anfield had to be evacuated just minutes before kick-off.
Stadium staff were forced to carry out an emergency evacuation shortly before the first of the two friendlies kicked off due to a false alarm.
A large number of supporters had already taken their seats to watch the build-up but were told to leave the ground after the alarm sounded. But it was soon confirmed by the The Kop club that the evacuation had been a precaution after a false alarm.
A statement read: ‘Shortly before 15:50pm there was a false alarm in the Anfield Main Stand, leading to supporters in that area of the stadium to be temporarily evacuated.
‘Fans are now being let back into the Main Stand and there is no expected delay to KO. Thank you for everyone’s co-operation.’
The tributes to Jota began long before the first whistle on Monday.
The front cover of the matchday programme was adorned with photos of Jota celebrating goals and the words, ‘Diogo Jota, forever our number 20’. It contained a number of emotional tributes, including an obituary titled ‘Forever our No 20’.
Inside the programme, head coach Slot also paid his own tribute to Jota.
‘I know that you will want to pay your tributes before, during and after the games, and I know that we will hear his song ringing out throughout the evening,’ Slot wrote.
‘It has been a tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo’s family, his wife, his children and friends.
‘We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward. We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.
‘Diogo’s passing has had a big impact on us all, but what has been so important has been the love and care shown from the football world, and in particular of course the Liverpool FC community.
‘I want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here, too. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable.’
There is also a ‘Forever 20’ emblem printed on Liverpool’s new kits, which made its first appearance against Bilbao. It will remain in place all season.
Plans are underway for a permanent memorial scultpure at Anfield while floral wreaths will be laid before the Reds’ Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 15.
A minute’s silence will also take place ahead of the match on Merseyside.
After joining from Wolves in 2020, Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club, helping them to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
