‘He brought out the best in people’
Jurgen Klopp has shared a deeply moving tribute to Diogo Jota, published in The Observer ahead of Liverpool’s emotional clash with Wolves on Saturday.
The former Reds boss managed Jota for four years after the Portuguese forward made the move from Molineux to Anfield back in 2020.
It’s been five months since the football world lost the beloved striker in a devastating car accident in northern Spain.
Saturday’s fixture carried extra weight, with Liverpool facing the other English club Jota called home during his career.
Diogo Jota died on July 3 in a tragic car crash that also claimed the life of his brother Andre Silva | PA
The match ended in a 2-1 victory for the Reds, but the result felt secondary to the occasion.
Klopp’s words paint a picture of a man who touched everyone around him. “Diogo Jota. I still smile every time I say or hear the name. Honestly, it brings this big, beaming grin to my face. Affection. Appreciation. Love,” he wrote.
The German described his former player as humble, authentic and genuine – someone who never pretended to be anything other than himself.
“In life he brought out the best in people and even in death this stayed the same,” Klopp explained.
He added that people loved Jota because they saw the very best of themselves reflected in him.
Jurgen Klopp paid a touching tribute to Diogo Jota
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Before kick-off, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Jota’s two young sons walked out onto the Anfield turf as mascots.
The boys led the teams out ahead of the match against their father’s former club, creating an incredibly poignant moment for everyone inside the stadium.
Liverpool supporters have honoured their forever number 20 at every home game since his passing, with his chant ringing around Anfield.
But this particular fixture felt different, with both sets of fans sharing a deep connection to the late forward.
The Reds went on to secure a 2-1 win, though the scoreline mattered little on such an emotional afternoon.
Klopp also shared a brilliant story that perfectly captured Jota’s character as a true representative of the Liverpool faithful.
Jurgen Klopp revealed a lovely story about Diogo Jota
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During a Carabao Cup match against Leicester City in 2021, Jota slotted home the winning penalty and immediately turned to scream at the away supporters.
The German admitted he was puzzled by the reaction at first.
“Later I was told it was because he took exception to chants from some of Leicester’s supporters that night about poverty in Liverpool. So Diogo,” Klopp wrote.
Diogo Jota left behind a wife and three children
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It was classic Jota – standing up for his adopted city and its people without hesitation.
