Liverpool's Cody Gakpo has paid a moving tribute to his late teammate Diogo Jota as the squad prepares for their first match at Anfield since the tragic loss of the Portuguese forward.
Gakpo, who formed a close bond with Jota on and off the pitch, described his fellow attacker as "unforgettable" in an emotional interview ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture.
The Dutch international told reporters: "Diogo was more than just a teammate - he was a brother to all of us. His energy, his smile, his passion for the game - these are things that will stay with us forever."
Manager Jürgen Klopp has confirmed the club will hold a minute's silence before kickoff, with players wearing black armbands as a mark of respect. The Kop end is expected to be adorned with banners and scarves in Jota's memory.
Gakpo added: "We want to honour Diogo in the best way we know how - by playing with the same intensity and joy he always brought to the game. Anfield will be emotional, but we know the fans will help carry us through."
The 24-year-old Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, tragically passed away last week in a car accident near his Merseyside home. Tributes have poured in from across the football world for the popular forward who scored 44 goals in 145 appearances for the Reds.
Saturday's match will see Liverpool return to action for the first time since the tragedy, with Gakpo likely to feature prominently in Klopp's starting lineup. The emotional occasion is expected to draw global attention, with broadcasters planning special pre-match coverage of the tributes.
