The double test against Athletic Bilbao is once again dominated by the memory of the deceased professional.
The first game at Anfield Road since the death of Diogo Jota once again triggered grief and deep sympathy at FC Liverpool.
Before the double test against Athletic Bilbao on Monday, representatives of both clubs laid wreaths to sustained applause. Fans held up banners, scarves and flags with the portrait of the Portuguese professional, and sang the song they once dedicated to Jota for minutes. This was followed by a particularly emotional “You’ll never walk alone.”
Darwin Nunez scored at Anfield Road against Bilbao
Captain Virgil van Dijk described his feelings in the stadium magazine. “It’s still a bit surreal,” wrote the Dutchman, “but we are dealing with it as a team as best as possible. It was strange to continue now with our work, football. We will never forget Diogo and try to honor his memory.”
This includes taking care of the bereaved: “The family’s pain is unimaginable.”
Liverpool friendly interrupted in the 20th minute
Two games against the Basques were to follow in succession; for Liverpool, these are the last tests before the Community Shield (Supercup) game against cup winner Crystal Palace on Sunday at Wembley. The champion started the first game in the evening with a 1b-eleven without the top-class Bundesliga newcomers Florian Wirtz (from Bayer Leverkusen) and Hugo Ekitiké (from Eintracht Frankfurt).
Ex-LFC professional Thompson (l.) and Bilbao’s president Uriarte laid wreaths
It was interrupted in the 20th minute for a minute of silence, the players of both teams applauded on the pitch. Jota had worn the number 20, the club will no longer assign it.
Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva died in a car accident in Spain on the night of July 3. They were 28 and 25 years old respectively.