Diogo Jota remembered: Conducting the Kop and Liverpool debut magic
Liverpool will remember Diogo Jota for the player and the man he was.
The world of football is mourning the loss of both Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, who tragically passed away in a road traffic accident in Spain on Thursday.
To remember the Reds’ number 20, Liverpool News have looked back at some of our favourite moments, both on and off the pitch.
Jota’s first taste of Liverpool
Jota joined Liverpool at a time when football was in a strange place.
The COVID-19 pandemic had rendered stadiums empty, and it would not be until the following season (2021/22) that the forward would witness the Kop in its full glory.
But Jota would not have to wait that long to feel the love of the fans. In fact, his Premier League debut saw his first goal.
A half-volleyed effort which found the bottom corner, sealing a 3-1 win over Arsenal – an opponent he would go on to enjoy playing against – and introducing the Liverpool fans to what would become a similar sight.
Jota sinks Arsenal (again)
To reiterate, Jota loved playing against Arsenal.
A chilly January night in London would mark his latest goals against the North London club, a brace sealing Liverpool’s progression to the League Cup final.
The first was wonderful, but the second was pure magic. Drifting in behind Ben White before taking a cross-field Trent Alexander-Arnold pass on the chest, Jota needed just one more touch to lift the ball over the oncoming Aaron Ramsdale and silence The Emirates.
Liverpool would go on to lift the cup, marking Jota’s first trophy in red.
That goal against Tottenham
The 2022/23 season was one marred by injuries for Jota. But it will be remembered for a moment that simultaneously lives in Liverpool appreciation, and Spurs infamy.
Anfield had seen Liverpool 3-0 up and cruising towards victory, but goals from Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Richarlison inexplicably saw the scores levelled in the 93rd minute – a moment the away fans revelled in.
Step forward, Jota – to capitalise on a wayward Lucas Moura pass and slot past Fraser Forster, breaking Spurs hearts and giving Arsenal fans something to smile about, for a change.
And while Anfield exploded – his teammates charging towards him, expecting a pile-up in the corner – Jota sat on the pitch and pretended to play his beloved FIFA.
Jota lifts the trophy
Our last moment takes us, once more, to Anfield. It was a moment Jota had been waiting for since the day he first walked through the doors at Melwood.
The Premier League was his. He lifted it towards the Kop, who, in turn, roared back his name.
The moments that followed, Jota spent surrounded by his teammates, his children and his childhood sweetheart, turned soon-to-be wife.
With that smile on his face, he will be remembered – a brilliant player, a great man, a husband, a father, and a son. Liverpool will always remember.