On Monday, Liverpool will play at Anfield for the first time since the passing of Diogo Jota. Manager Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk expect it to be an emotional evening surrounding the two matches against Athletic Bilbao.
Embed from Getty Images
On Monday, Anfield will open its gates for the first time since Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph, but celebrations will be overshadowed by a deep sense of grief and remembrance.
The evening, which features two friendly matches against Athletic Bilbao one at 6:00 p.m. and another at 9:00 p.m., each with a different lineup will serve not only as a pre-season test for the English champions but also as a heartfelt tribute to the late Diogo Jota, whose sudden and tragic death left a void in the hearts of players, staff, and fans alike.
Manager Arne Slot, who is entering his first season in charge, admitted he is eager to experience Anfield as Liverpool’s new coach but acknowledged the immense emotional weight of the occasion. “It will be amazing to be back at Anfield for the first time since we became champions. We’re really looking forward to it,” Slot told the club’s official channels. “But of course, we know this will also be an emotional occasion. It’s the first time we’ll play at home since losing Diogo.”
Jota, a beloved figure both on and off the pitch, passed away unexpectedly earlier this summer, sending shockwaves throughout the football world. Fans have continued to grieve, filling social media with tributes, murals have appeared in the city, and his signature chant has echoed beyond the stadium. Slot believes Monday night will be no different.
“We’ll hear his song throughout the night. It will be everywhere. This is still a difficult time for everyone connected to the club, but especially for Diogo’s family his wife, his children, his friends. We simply cannot comprehend the pain they’re feeling. What we can do is stand with them, show love, and offer our support in every way possible. That’s something Liverpool Football Club has always done it’s who we are.”
The Dutch manager also praised the mental strength of his players, who have had to balance their professional responsibilities with the emotional burden of mourning a teammate. “We will always carry Diogo with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go. I also want to acknowledge the strength and courage of my players. They’re in one of the toughest situations imaginable. But the way they’ve responded, the way they’ve trained, the way they’ve held together as a group it’s been nothing short of inspiring. We couldn’t have asked more from them. I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve shown, not just as footballers, but as human beings.”
Van Dijk: “He will always be part of us”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk echoed his manager’s sentiments, speaking openly and emotionally about the impact of Jota’s passing not just on the team, but on the entire Liverpool family. “It has obviously been a very difficult time. First and foremost for the families of Diogo and André, and for Rute and the children. They are the ones who must always come first in all of this. That’s something we must never forget,” said Van Dijk. “It still feels unreal, to be honest. There are moments when you expect to see him walk into the dressing room with that smile. And then you remember. It’s heartbreaking.”
Van Dijk admitted that returning to football hasn’t been easy. “With everything that has happened, it feels strange to have to carry on with work, with football. Your mind is somewhere else. Your heart is heavy. But we also know that Diogo loved this game. He gave everything for this badge, for these fans, for this club. And so we try every day to honour his memory. That’s our motivation now.”
The Dutch defender also took a moment to praise the overwhelming outpouring of support the club has received since Jota’s death. “The support from the fans, and from the football world in general, has been incredible. It’s beautiful. It shows how much Diogo was loved not just here in Liverpool, but everywhere. His impact went beyond football. He inspired people. He brought joy. That’s something we can all hold on to.”
Van Dijk concluded with a powerful message of unity, reflection, and purpose. “We will honour Diogo today, and always. He will always be with us in every match we play, in every song we sing, in every moment we share as a team. Life can be short. Life can be cruel. But it’s also full of chances to love, to remember, to give our best, and to stand together. So let’s honour Diogo today. Let’s enjoy the game. And let’s do it together as one club, one family.”
A Night to Remember
Monday’s fixtures are expected to draw a capacity crowd, not just for the football but for what it represents a city and a club uniting to remember one of its own. There will be moments of silence, spontaneous applause, and thousands of voices joining in to sing Diogo Jota’s chant one more time. Flags and banners in the stands will bear his name. Players will wear black armbands, and a tribute video will be shown before kick-off.
While the matches themselves will serve as valuable preparation for the new season, what happens off the pitch may linger even longer in the memory. For those attending, it will not be just a pre-season friendly. It will be a chance to say thank you. A chance to say goodbye. And a chance to show that in Liverpool, no one ever walks alone.
Updated: 12:10, 4 Aug 2025
