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…As Jota’s children lead tributes
Florian Wirtz recorded his first Liverpool goal as the Reds held out to beat Wolves 2-1 on an emotional afternoon at Anfield as Diogo Jota was remembered by both sets of fans.
Liverpool and Wolves paid tribute to Diogo Jota on an emotional day at Anfield as his two former sides met for the first time since his death.
Arne Slot’s side scored twice in two minutes through Ryan Gravenberch and Wirtz in the first half and though Wolves pulled one back through Santiago Bueno,
Dutch midfielder Gravenberch dedicated his goal to Jota – recreating the shark-style celebration that the Portugal forward sometimes used.
Liverpool made it three Premier League wins in a row, as Wolves remain winless in the top flight this season.
Rob Edwards’ Wolves held firm for most of the first half until Gravenberch broke the deadlock in the 41st minute as he finished from Jeremie Frimpong’s ball.
A minute later, Wirtz got on the end of Hugo Ektike’s delivery and slotted past Jose Sa to double Liverpool’s lead.
Wolves had a glimmer of hope six minutes into the second half, as Bueno scored the rebound after Alisson saved Tolu Arokodare’s header from a corner.
Edwards made three changes just after the hour mark as his side hunted for an equaliser and they came close when Arokodare headed over but Liverpool held firm to make it seven games unbeaten in all competitions.
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*Jota’s children lead tributes*
Earlier in the day, two of Jota sons joined the matchday mascots as Liverpool and Wolves paid tribute to Diogo Jota.
Dinis and Duarte, two of his three children, joined the matchday mascots on the pitch before their Premier League game on Saturday.
Jota’s sons, along with other young family members, led the Liverpool team out of the tunnel, walking out ahead of captain Virgil van Dijk.
The Portugal forward, 28, was killed in a car crash in Spain in July, alongside his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva.
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 after three seasons with Wolves.
Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, was also in attendance.
A banner which read ‘Diogo Jota, forever in our hearts’ was held aloft in the Kop stand before kick-off.
Chants of “Diogo, Diogo, Diogo” rang out from the Wolves fans in the away end before all of Anfield stood and applauded as Liverpool supporters sang in tribute to Jota in the 20th minute.
Seyi John Salau
Seyi John Salau is a BusinessDay Correspondent with interest in development journalism, which tells stories that connect the people, brands, and the government. SeyiJohn is also a media professional with BSc, Mass Communition (ACU); Masters of School Media (MSM, Ibadan) & MSc, Mass Communication (Caleb).
Source: Businessday.ng | Read the Full Story…
