There were emotional scenes at Anfield as Liverpool prepared to play their first home game since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The Portuguese forward was killed in a car accident in Spain en route to pre-season training, along with his brother Andre Silva.
Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson and Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte laid wreaths in front of the Kop ten minutes before kick-off. Fans held scarves, banners and shirts aloft, with chants of Jota’s name, as the wreaths were placed on the six-yard line.
The club’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ played as the teams took the field, and tributes continued into the match. In the 20th minute, players, staff and fans rose to applaud, honouring Jota’s No.20 shirt during his five-year spell at the club.
Liverpool faced Athletic Club twice in a double-header friendly. In the first match, a second-choice squad cruised to a 4-1 win, with 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha scoring and assisting Darwin Nunez, plus own goals and a Harvey Elliott strike. In the second match, a stronger XI secured a 3-2 victory, with new signings Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong impressing on their home debuts.
Goals from Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo (two) and an equaliser from Oihan Sancet, plus an own goal from Gakpo, decided the contest. Salah missed a late penalty, but Liverpool held on for a second win of the afternoon.
