Diogo Jota tribute ‘powerful’ as Liverpool players deal with emotion – Arne Slot
By Carl Markham, PA
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was pleased with how his players dealt with an emotional night as Anfield remembered Diogo Jota in a 4-2 Premier League opening win over Bournemouth.
The Portugal striker died in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva six weeks ago and his family were back at Anfield to see the outpouring of emotion which left Mohamed Salah, scorer of the fourth goal, in tears at the final whistle.
“The main emotion I think should be how impressive and how powerful the tribute for Diogo was,” said Slot.
“The banner that the Kop showed, the way ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was sung, the way they sung the song for Diogo before the game, in the first minute, after 20 minutes, after the game. It was all so, so impressive and so powerful.
“And then there was even a game that ended in 4-2 where a lot of things happened.
“I actually didn’t want to go in after the game because I found it so special, how our fans reacted today.
“I think Mo felt, after the game, how special that was. He probably also felt the emotion because we all knew his (Jota’s) family is here, his wife is here, his children are here.
“For them, it might be special to hear how much he is loved over here. What the fans did. But we also feel the emotions of how much grief they still have.
“That mixed emotions maybe led to Mo being emotional. I think I felt the same without being in tears, but I definitely felt the same emotions.”
On the football front Slot believes Federico Chiesa has a future at the club after the almost-forgotten Italy international came off the bench to score their decisive third goal.
The forward, who barely played in his first season after struggling with fitness, volleyed home in the 88th-minute after seeing his team-mates concede a 2-0 lead given to them by new signing Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo.
But after Antoine Semenyo, the subject of an isolated incident of alleged racist abuse in the first half, scored twice, fan-favourite Chiesa registered his first Premier League goal, which was followed by a customary opening-day goal for Salah.
“The fans sung for him so many times last season and it is very nice for him to give them something in return. Unbelievable atmosphere in the final minutes,” added Slot on the Italy international, who looked destined for a move this summer.
Mohamed Salah. Again. pic.twitter.com/11031vzhWi
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 15, 2025
“He is here at Liverpool and I have no reason to believe it is going to change. He had a hard time last season getting his fitness ready and unfortunately for him, he then missed the Asian tour.
“At 2-2 you need a number nine: I brought him in and he delivered and that is always positive for your future at the club.”
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola praised Semenyo for his reaction to the first-half incident, which saw play halted so referee Anthony Taylor could speak to both managers.
“I didn’t notice live but straight away Anthony explained the situation,” he said.
“It is a shame that in the first game of the Premier League, playing a really good game, we have to start talking about these things.
“It is a shame because the news will be about this thing. It is something that is still a big problem and we should be talking about what a good game it has been.
He is really, really good at football. pic.twitter.com/EbqhV5AaVc
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 15, 2025
“In the heat of the moment I think Antoine understood the situation. He was calm. We asked him if he is OK to continue.
“The head always goes in these things and for sure he is asking why this is happening today.
“Antoine started the season the same way he finished the last one. Different goals, the first more a combination to the left and he arrives well, the second one more he takes it by himself and a good finish.”
