Wolves Honour Diogo Jota at Anfield Ahead of Liverpool Clash

Wolverhampton Wanderers arrived at Anfield on Friday evening ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool, pausing for a poignant tribute to former forward Diogo Jota. The match marks the first meeting between Wolves and Liverpool at the stadium since Jota’s tragic death in a car accident in July 2025, a loss that continues to reverberate deeply through both clubs and across English football.

Jota built his reputation at Wolves, scoring 44 goals in 131 appearances before securing a move to Liverpool in 2020. He would go on to score 65 goals for the Reds, earning admiration for his intelligence in tight spaces, his timing, and his relentless work rate. His story links the identities of Wolves, Diogo Jota and Liverpool more tightly than most transfers ever manage.

The tribute visit, led by Wolves players and staff, saw the travelling delegation pay their respects inside the stadium, a moment documented by Wolverhampton Wanderers across club channels. The gesture underscored the mutual affection for Jota at both ends of the M6, a footballer cherished not only for his numbers, but for the empathy and humility he emphasised in every environment.

We visited Anfield this evening to remember Diogo 💛 pic.twitter.com/hr4Z8UXMkp

— Wolves (@Wolves) December 26, 2025

Legacy at Wolves, Impact at Liverpool

Few players leave a footprint at a club like Wolves without becoming a caricature of it. Jota’s game at Wolves was defined by efficiency and incision, 44 goals in 131 outings is a testament to a forward who prioritised sharp decision making over indulgence. Liverpool supporters, too, recognised those traits immediately. He thrived under pressure, scoring clutch goals in Europe and domestically, becoming one of the most trusted attacking options in big moments before his passing.

As Liverpool manager Arne Slot reflected in his programme notes ahead of the club’s final home game of 2025, the emotional toll of the past 12 months is impossible to quantify for Jota’s family.

“Reflecting on everything that has happened over the last 12 months ignites a rollercoaster of emotions but it is normal at this time of year to look back to everything that has happened,” Slot writes.

“Doing so leads me to think especially of the family of Diogo Jota on what will be their first Christmas without him.

“It is not my place to tell them where they should look for comfort , if that is even possible , but I can only hope that the feeling of love and affection that Diogo still generates brings them some solace.”

The sense of brotherhood Slot references is not mere rhetoric. Jota’s sons will walk out with the mascots before kick off, a symbol of continuity, a moment designed to honour the man, while protecting those left to grieve him.

Voices from Liverpool’s Brotherhood

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk spoke this week about how the squad managed Jota’s loss, highlighting leadership without grandstanding, observation before intervention, community over performance.

“It is a fact that you will be reminded about what happened each and every day because he’s part of us, he’s part of the club, he’s part of our brotherhood,” Virgil van Dijk told The Times this week.

“Personally, my role was to observe a lot, see how everyone copes and deals with it. To hear things, speak to players, speak to certain staff members.

“We had a meeting with the team and said if anyone wants to speak up about their emotions, how they feel, we are here and will always be here.

“There are moments when it is tough because, like I said, you will remember Diogo whether you are prepared or not, whether you can cope with it at that time or not. It’s about how you then react, and the boys have been outstanding.

“The senior boys have discussed it and we want to obviously honour his legacy, not only for the next year, two years, three years. He needs to be remembered for ever and that’s something we’re going to discuss with the club, how we’re going to be able to do that.

“We have his locker here at the training ground, we have his locker at the stadium. The memorial at the stadium is coming.

“But I think we can do a lot more in terms of remembering him, and that’s something me and the senior boys will be looking after. And I feel that responsibility in order to make that happen, too.”