'What they did': Slot thanks Everton for Diogo Jota tribute ahead of first Merseyside Derby since his passing
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When Diogo Jota passed away, both sides of Liverpool came together to send tributes and celebrate his life.
It was one of the most shocking days in football when the world found out about the 28-year-old striker’s death alongside his brother Andre Silva in July.
While it was hard for anyone to comprehend both men passing away too soon, the world of football and the city itself came together to remember them with some incredible, poignant tributes outside of Anfield.
A delegation from Everton, led by Portuguese forward Beto and Youssef Chermiti, laid down wreaths and observed a moment of silence for both men.
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
This showing of solidarity and putting rivalry to one side was perfect in showing unity for a situation that was bigger than football.
Jota was a loved figure, as shown by the outpouring of grief from across all fans and clubs who paid tribute to the great striker.
Arne Slot wanted to use the opportunity of his post-match press conference to give his thanks after how the blue side of Merseyside took their time to pay their respects.
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Slot said: “They are a good team and there is rivalry, but what I also liked and what I want to emphasise is what they did when Diogo passed away.
“It was their captain, and of course, they showed their respect, sports director to sports director, and all these kinds of things.
“They showed their respect, and in these moments of time, it is so nice to see that in tragedies that the rivalry is still there, but the respect to both is still there.”
This game will be even more pertinent because the last goal the striker ever scored for the club came against the Toffees in last season’s home derby.
It was a trademark goal from the striker, picking the ball up from the edge of the box, taking it away from the defenders, and driving his shot low past the goalkeeper.
His memory will live long with the club because of the impact he made on the pitch and outside of it.
His legacy is that of a person who was loved by all.
There have been many stories about his kindness and support of others, and Beto recently revealed how the striker had an impact on him when he arrived at Everton.
Speaking to The Times, the 27-year-old told the publication of the gesture from Liverpool’s No.
20 when he joined their local rivals in 2023.
Beto explained that he was the first player to message him once his signing was confirmed for the other side of Stanley Park.
He said: “You have Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, these guys, but when I signed for Everton, he was the first guy who texted me.”
“He just texted me and said: ‘I’m happy for you.
We were not best friends, you know, but we talk a little bit, he was a really, really good guy.
It was really sad.”
This is just one of the many stories of Jota using his time on earth to spread love and kindness; it goes to show the type of man he was and will forever be remembered as.