Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool supporters put rivalry aside at Molineux on Tuesday night to honour one of their own.
In an emotional show of unity, both sets of fans paid tribute to Diogo Jota on the first meeting between the two sides at Wolves’ home since the tragic events of last summer.
Diogo Jota remembered on first Molineux visit since the tragedy
The late Diogo Jota was killed in a traffic accident in Cernadilla, Spain, in July last year, sending shockwaves through the football world.
When Wolves hosted Liverpool at Molineux Stadium on Tuesday night, supporters from both sides once again came together in remembrance.
In the 18th minute, applause rang around the ground, joined by Wolves boss Rob Edwards on the touchline.
Two minutes later, travelling Liverpool fans sang Jota’s song in unison, a chant that once echoed regularly around Anfield.
FGG says: A touching tribute for a player who gave both clubs everything
Jota’s connection to both clubs runs deep.
He scored 44 goals and provided 19 assists across 131 appearances for the Old Gold, forming a formidable partnership with Raul Jimenez and helping fire the club into European competition after promotion from the Championship.
His £45 million move to Liverpool in 2020 proved equally fruitful, with 65 goals in 182 games and a key role in last season’s Premier League title triumph.
Earlier this year, Wolves posthumously inducted Jota into their Hall of Fame, making him the first foreign player to receive the honour, and ultimately, it underlined the lasting impression he made in the Black Country.
The Portugal winger was adored at Molineux and loved at Anfield, and this was shown by their heartfelt acknowledgements of a player who left everything on the pitch for both teams on Tuesday night.
Jota's legacy is likely to be honoured again when the two teams meet in the FA Cup Fifth Round on Friday evening.
He will never be forgotten.