Mohamed Salah breaks down in tears in front of the Kop as Liverpool fans pay powerful tributes to Diogo Jota

Mohamed Salah wiped away tears as he listened to Liverpool fans sing songs in tribute to Diogo Jota after the team’s victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.

Liverpool won 4-2 in the opening match of the Premier League season, with goals from Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Salah getting their title defence off to a winning start.

Jota died in a car crash along with brother Andre Silva in Spain on 3 July after a suspected tyre blowout. The tragedy occurred only 11 days after Jota, a 28-year-old father of three, had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso.

Jota’s family were in attendance at Anfield on Friday night as Liverpool fans sang a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, before a minute’s silence was impeccably observed.

A loud rendition of Jota’s song was accompanied by banners commemorating the late forward, one of them in the Bournemouth end, in a gesture by the visiting fans. Mosaics were formed by fans in the Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Kop as Liverpool paid their own tribute.

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Chants of Jota’s name continued to ring around the stadium as the game got underway, all players wearing black armbands, with fans singing his now immortalised “Number 20” anthem.

And afterwards, Salah stood in front of the Kop soaking in the moment as supporters sang Jota’s name.

"We know that this will be a very emotional occasion, given it is the first league game we have played since we lost Diogo and Andre,” Arne Slot had said in his pre-match programme notes.

"As I have said previously, the tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special, and I know that tonight we will come together to honour them once more.”

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk added in his notes: “It will be a very emotional occasion for everybody associated with the club, and especially for Diogo’s wife, Rute, their children and his family, who will be in attendance this evening.

“They remain, of course, the most important people in all of this, and it is important that we as a club – players, staff, supporters – are there for them always, and that they know that they will always be loved and welcomed here at Anfield.”

Liverpool retired Jota’s No 20 shirt earlier this summer, with the Portuguese forward listed under “Forever” on their website’s squad list.

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 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.

Read more Liverpool’s opening night marred by racist incident as late show from Chiesa and Salah foils Bournemouth comeback

“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.

“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.

“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.”

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