Jota’s Sons to Walk Out With Mascots as Liverpool and Wolves Pay Tribute at Anfield

The sons of former Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Diogo Jota will take part in a poignant tribute this weekend when his two former clubs meet at Anfield.

Dinis and Duarte, two of Jota’s three children, will accompany the matchday mascots onto the pitch before kick off on Saturday, marking an emotional moment for players supporters and Jota’s family alike. The Premier League fixture will be the first time Liverpool and Wolves have faced each other since the Portuguese international’s death.

Jota, who was 28, was killed in a car accident in Spain in July along with his younger brother Andre Silva, who was 25. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the football world, with tributes pouring in from clubs teammates and fans across Europe.

Saturday’s match brings together the two clubs most closely associated with Jota’s career in England. He joined Liverpool in 2020 after three highly successful seasons with Wolverhampton Wanderers, where his performances helped establish him as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards.

In programme notes ahead of Liverpool’s final home game of 2025, manager Arne Slot reflected on the past year and spoke movingly about Jota’s family. Slot said he hoped the affection and respect still felt for the player would offer some comfort during an especially difficult period.

He described the end of the year as a time that naturally brings reflection and emotion, adding that his thoughts were particularly with Jota’s family as they face their first Christmas without him. Slot said it was not for him to say where comfort could be found, but expressed hope that the love surrounding Jota’s memory might bring some solace.

On the pitch, Jota left a lasting legacy. He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, playing a key role in the club’s FA Cup and League Cup victories in 2022 and helping secure the Premier League title last season. His energy work rate and knack for crucial goals made him a favourite among supporters.

Before Anfield, Jota made his name at Wolves after joining initially on loan from Atletico Madrid in 2017. He went on to score 44 goals in 131 appearances, becoming a central figure in the club’s rise in the Premier League.

As his sons walk out onto the pitch, Saturday’s match will stand as a quiet but powerful reminder of Jota’s impact on English football and the deep affection he continues to inspire.