Diogo Jota’s sons to lead teams out in poignant Liverpool vs Wolves match this weekend | OneFootball

Liverpool will mark an emotional occasion on Saturday when Diogo Jota’s sons take part as mascots ahead of the Premier League meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.

Dinis and Duarte, two of Jota’s three children with his wife Rute Cardoso, will walk out with the players before kick-off in a moment loaded with significance.

The fixture represents the first time Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers have faced each other since Jota’s death in a car crash in Spain earlier this year.

Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in the accident in the province of Zamora in early July, sending shockwaves through football and beyond.

Liverpool extended an invitation to Jota’s family as special guests, ensuring they remain central to the club’s continued remembrance of the forward.

The presence of his sons on the pitch is expected to create a deeply moving atmosphere inside Anfield.

Jota’s family previously attended Liverpool’s opening league match of the season against Bournemouth in August, when the club paid a powerful tribute.

Mosaics bearing the messages ‘DJ 20’ and ‘AS 30’ were displayed across two stands during a minute’s silence.

A banner on the Kop read, ‘Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda — Anfield will always be your home,’ underlining the bond between the family and the club.

Mafalda, Jota’s daughter, was born last year and completes the family Liverpool continue to honour publicly.

Following the tragedy, Liverpool retired the No 20 shirt worn by Jota during his time at the club.

They also announced plans for a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield to serve as a focal point for remembrance.

Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, playing a key role in domestic and league success during his spell on Merseyside.

The sense of loss has been equally profound at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Jota spent three seasons before his move in 2020.

Wolves inducted him into their Hall of Fame and unveiled a tifo tribute ahead of their opening league match this season.

The display referenced Jota’s favourite song, carrying the message, ‘We’ll remember you when you walk in fields of gold.’

In his matchday programme notes, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot reflected on the emotional weight of the occasion.

Slot admitted the past year has brought extreme highs and lows, with Jota’s passing remaining especially present.

He expressed hope that the enduring affection for Jota might offer his family some measure of comfort.