Diogo Jota. A Celebration of Life

By Umair Gangat

Diogo Jota, a man loved by millions of football fans around the world. A man who has given me more happy memories than I can count.

For me, Jota was more than just a footballer. He was my favourite player — the screensaver on my laptop, the name on the back of my shirt. He was special. Although I did not know him personally, his passing felt like losing someone close. The shock of the news completely broke my heart. I loved Diogo, just as so many others did. He was a special player and a special man.

When he first signed for the Reds, I was so excited to see him play. He made an instant impact with a goal against Arsenal off the bench, something that would become a regular occurrence. The game that made me fall in love with him completely was his hat-trick away to Atalanta; straight after that game I ordered my first Jota shirt. Despite struggling with injuries, he managed an impressive 13 goals in 30 games in his first season with the Reds, cementing himself as a mainstay in Jürgen Klopp’s side, with important goals against Manchester United at Old Trafford and again against Arsenal away from home.

The 21/22 season was arguably his best for the Reds, filled with iconic moments. My personal favourite Jota moment was his performance against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. Liverpool were 1–3 down at half-time and Jota was subbed on, scoring off the bench and then converting the winning penalty in one of the loudest celebrations I have ever heard at Anfield. That moment gave me an insane amount of joy following my team. He went on to score a brace away at Arsenal in the semi-finals, which ultimately led to Liverpool winning the cup. That season he scored another two against Arsenal, one at home and one away, as well as goals at Old Trafford, an all-important equaliser at the Etihad, and in the Merseyside derby. He ended the season with a League Cup and FA Cup double — both of which he contributed to massively.

The 22/23 season was a struggle for both the club and Diogo, as he sustained a calf injury early on. His absence was felt on the pitch as Liverpool struggled in the league that season and missed out on the top four. When he came back from injury, his season started to pick up. The best moment, alongside beating Manchester United 7–0, came with some individual brilliance from Jota. Liverpool had lost a two-goal lead to Tottenham at Anfield late in the game. Ex-Evertonian Richarlison equalised for Spurs in the 93rd minute , the entire ground was stunned and many had already left. In the 94th minute, Jota brilliantly intercepted an intended back pass from a Spurs defender and slotted the ball past the keeper to win the game in the dying seconds. Anfield erupted into one of the loudest reactions I have ever heard for a goal. My celebrations were so wild I ended up falling down a few rows in the Anfield Road Stand. I love moments like this in football because they remind us why we love the game. This is why millions of fans spend their hard-earned money to watch their teams, because of players like Jota who give absolutely everything to the club and the badge, for the fans.

The 23/24 season was another one plagued by injury for Diogo. Despite this, he still managed to have a good season, scoring 15 goals in 32 games for the Reds and winning another Carabao Cup. Liverpool once again came close to the title but Jota’s dream was not yet fulfilled. His best spell came in late 2023 to early 2024 when he managed nine goal contributions in seven games, with a classic Jota finish against Chelsea at home, yet again showing up in the big moments.

The 24/25 season saw Diogo play a vital part. This was the season he would be cemented as an immortal, finally achieving his dream of becoming a Premier League champion. Jota was essential in the early stages, scoring the first goal under Arne Slot’s reign as Liverpool manager, helping the team gain momentum and vital points at the start of the season. After an injury layoff, his first game back saw him score as ten-man Liverpool came back, with Jota rescuing a point for the Reds in a 2–2 draw. He did the same away at Nottingham Forest, once again showing up in the crucial moments and scoring when it mattered. His final goal for the Reds came in a tough period. Liverpool had just lost in the Carabao Cup final and been knocked out of the Champions League in the same week. Liverpool needed a win in their next game, the Merseyside Derby, a historically difficult fixture. Jota stepped up and scored in the 64th minute to guide the Reds to a 1–0 win. These three points ultimately restarted Liverpool’s momentum in the title challenge that they would go on to win.

It will forever feel strange to me that just a month ago I saw him at the parade lifting the title, and now he’s gone forever. When Liverpool played Tottenham at home in the cup this season, I was sat near the front and Jota was warming up in front of me. I shouted, “I love you, mate!” and he turned around, smiled, and waved at me. That small five-second interaction meant the world to me and made my day. For him, it was just a moment , but for me, it showed he was a genuinely great man. He could go 30–0 in FUT Champs and then score a worldie the next day.

Diogo Jota, you are forever our lad from Portugal and forever our number 20.
Your legacy, and your brother André’s legacy, will live on forever.
You’ll Never Walk Alone, hermano.