The 2025-2026 campaign starts with 3 points for Liverpool, with beautiful and meaningful tributes to Diogo Jota

Liverpool is playing its first official match of the new season, taking to the field competitively at Anfield for the first time since the passing of Diogo Jota.

Liverpool has returned to Anfield for the first competitive game since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, with the pair remembered poignantly before kick-off against Bournemouth.

The official matchday program features a black and white image of Jota, with his name and his brother Andre’s in white lettering. And supporters came together for a minutes’ silence ahead of kick-off.

Before that, Jota’s song was sung loudly, and there was a powerful rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone. Emotional at the best of times, the anthem takes on extra meaning in times like these.

Half an hour or so before the game began, flags with Jota’s name and Portugal flag were helf aloft to applause on The Kop. Throughout the game (and indeed the season), Liverpool fans will sing the name of their number 20.

Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda – Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Read a banner in The Kop, an emotional message to his wife and kids. In the Bournemouth end of Anfield, a banner with Jota’s name was brought out in the minutes leading up to the match beginning.

Earlier in the summer, Liverpool confirmed that it would be retiring Jota’s jersey in remembrance of Jota. A memorial is also to be made at Anfield for the former Wolves forward with tributes having come in from far and wide.

On this occasion, members of Jota and Silva’s family were in attendance. Liverpool has supported them as much as it can in difficult times, and will continue to do so.

“We know that this will be a very emotional occasion, given it is the first league game we have played since we lost Diogo and Andre,” Arne Slot wrote in his program notes.

(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
“As I have said previously, the tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special, and I know that tonight we will come together to honour them once more.

“I believe that Diogo’s wife, his children and his family will be in attendance and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations. We are there for them always.”

Speaking to the UK broadcaster Sky Sports ahead of the game, Slot spoke just as poignantly. “Nothing compares to what Rute, his children and his parents are experiencing at this moment,” he said.

“The only thing I can say is the way the players have conducted themselves during this difficult time, the way our fans have shown respect for Diogo and his brother, has been incredible