Real Madrid paid a touching tribute to the late Diogo Jota at Anfield on Monday night, with a deeply personal touch from his former teammate and close friend, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The scene was set ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League clash tonight (scheduled for 11 PM kick-off), where the two European giants are locked in a battle to finish in the top eight and secure direct qualification to the round of 16. But before the tactical warfare, there was a moment of profound remembrance.
Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal forward, tragically died on 3 July 2025, alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash in Spain’s Zamora province while returning to Liverpool for pre-season training. The football world was plunged into mourning, with moments of silence observed across the globe.
Yesterday, upon landing in Merseyside, Real Madrid, led by head coach Xabi Alonso and club legend Emilio Butragueno, proceeded to lay wreaths at Anfield in honour of Jota. The gesture, however, was given its most intimate weight by Alexander-Arnold.
The English defender, who secured a summer move to the record Champions League champions after a storied career at Liverpool, returns to his boyhood club for the first time as an opponent. Wrapped within the wreaths was a handwritten note from Arnold, a raw and emotional message to his lost friend.
“My mate Diogo,” it read. “You are so missed, but still so level. Yours and Andre’s memories will always live on. I smile every time I think of you and always remember the great times we shared. Miss you mate, every day.”
In a unique and touching tribute that spoke of their bond off the pitch, Arnold also left a PlayStation controller at the site, a nod to the shared gaming sessions they likely enjoyed. Inscribed on it were the words: “You’ll never walk alone, champion.”
The emotional return adds a complex layer to an already high-stakes encounter for Arnold. While he will be aiming to make an impact against his former side, sources suggest he is likely to start on the bench.
Real Madrid plans to integrate him slowly back into the team after a spell on the sidelines, with Federico Valverde tipped to start at right back as they navigate the long-term absence of captain Dani Carvajal.
The match pits two teams in contrasting form against each other. Real Madrid, topping La Liga with 30 points from 11 games, is one of only five clubs alongside PSG, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Arsenal to have a perfect record in the new Champions League format, winning all three of their opening matches. Their only defeat this season was a bitter 5-2 loss to arch-rivals Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool, meanwhile, has seen their form take a huge slump over the past month and a half, suffering the most losses of any team in Europe’s top leagues during that period. However, a 2-0 league win against Aston Villa last weekend offers a glimmer of hope.
This is the second consecutive season these two clubs meet at Anfield in the Champions League league phase; last season, Liverpool won 2-0, a victory that came after three straight defeats to the Spanish giants.
Tonight, under the Anfield lights, the football will be fierce, and the points will be precious. But before a ball is kicked, the memory of Diogo Jota has been honoured once more, with his friend Trent Alexander-Arnold ensuring that even in rivalry, some bonds remain unbroken
