Arne Slot: "When it was 2-2, you know what player I was looking for to come on... Diogo Jota. But I couldn't. For terrible reasons.

Liverpool began their Premier League title defense with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on Friday night, but the win was overshadowed by emotional tributes to Diogo Jota. The Portuguese striker, who tragically died in a car crash in Spain last month alongside his brother André Silva, was remembered throughout Anfield. Fans in the Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish stands held up mosaics reading “DJ20” and “AS30,” while a tearful Mohamed Salah joined supporters in singing Jota’s chant.

On the pitch, Liverpool nearly let their season opener slip away after Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo scored twice to cancel out a two-goal lead. With the score level at 2-2, manager Arne Slot admitted afterward that he instinctively looked to Jota as the player he would normally turn to in such moments. Instead, Slot called upon Federico Chiesa, who scored the decisive third goal before Salah sealed the result with a late strike.

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In his post-match interview, Slot said: “Normally at 2-2, everyone knows which player I look to at that moment in time. I would have loved to bring in Diogo Jota, but I could not for terrible reasons.” His words struck a chord with fans and players alike.

Jota’s absence was deeply felt on and off the pitch as Liverpool began life without one of their most reliable forwards. For years, the 28-year-old had built a reputation for delivering in clutch moments, often coming off the bench to score decisive goals. Slot’s acknowledgment that he still instinctively thought of Jota underlined the striker’s lasting impact on the squad.

Liverpool’s performance on Friday reflected that emotional weight. After a strong start, the champions faltered defensively, allowing Bournemouth back into the game. But the response from Chiesa and Salah helped secure all three points and gave the Anfield crowd a cathartic moment of release. Slot praised his players for channeling Jota’s spirit: “Tonight the fans and the players did what he did for us many times in the past.”

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The tributes extended beyond the pitch. Jota’s family attended the match, visibly moved as the stadium honored his memory. The Kop’s mosaic and the collective singing of his name created a powerful reminder of his bond with supporters.

Liverpool will now prepare for a difficult trip to Newcastle on August 25. The match comes as the Reds continue their pursuit of striker Alexander Isak, whose uncertain future could soon reshape Slot’s attack.