Deep Emotions at Deepdale: Football Pays Its Respects
The first Liverpool match after Diogo Jota’s heartbreaking passing was about much more than pre-season results—this was about football coming together for one of its own. Supporters packed the away end at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End, determined to make their voices heard. You couldn’t ignore the sea of flags raised high, all declaring “forever our number 20,” or the constant echo of Jota’s name sung out loud. Every chant and every banner told the story of a player who became a fixture in the hearts of Liverpool fans.
Before anyone even kicked a ball, Preston’s side made a gesture that cut through the usual buzz of a friendly. Club officials placed a wreath on the side of the pitch, a symbol of respect that drew the home crowd in too. Everyone, regardless of allegiance, stood together during a heartfelt minute’s silence. It hit different to see both teams on the field, heads bowed, black armbands on, united by loss rather than rivalry.
No. 20 Retired: A Mark of Jota’s Lasting Legacy
As news broke that Liverpool wouldn’t let anyone else wear Jota’s No. 20 jersey again—not just in the first team, but throughout the club, women’s squads and academy included—fans got another sign of how deep his impact ran. CEO Michael Edwards said the call came after careful talks with Jota’s family. The message? Some numbers mean more than just who scores goals or gets assists. That jersey now stands for a player whose presence changed the club on and off the pitch.
The tributes didn’t stop with silence. For minutes on end, the crowd roared out not just “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” but tunes tailored to Jota’s time at Liverpool. Lines celebrating his Portuguese background and knack for putting the ball in the net rang out—the kind of personal, joyful noise that only football fans know how to make. Players were visibly moved, often glancing at the stands or back at their black armbands.
The club has more planned. When they head for their US tour, special tributes are on the way, ensuring supporters across the globe feel part of this collective farewell. And soon, those who visit Anfield will see a permanent memorial—something solid and lasting, right there in the ground where Jota made so many memories in red.
It’s rare to see a whole football club—top to bottom, men’s and women’s teams, coaches and fans—move in complete unison like this. Jota, once a lively presence up front, has left a mark that runs through Liverpool past, present, and future.
