Arne Slot has confirmed Diogo Jota‘s family will be at Anfield on Friday night for Liverpool’s opening game of the new Premier League season.
Liverpool return to Anfield for their first competitive game since the tragic passing of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, with a special mosaic and moment’s silence planned to pay tribute.
Jota’s wife, Rute, and his parents made an emotional return to Anfield last month to view the vast tributes and nearby mural alongside the first-team squad.
And in his programme notes ahead of Bournemouth‘s visit, Slot confirmed their attendance for the match, which is expected to include his young children.
Slot penned: “We know that this will be a very emotional occasion, given it is the first league game we have played since we lost Diogo and Andre.
“As I have said previously, the tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special, and I know that tonight we will come together to honour them once more.
“I believe that Diogo’s wife, his children and his family will be in attendance and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations. We are there for them always.”
• READ: Liverpool release commemorative Jota programme and t-shirt
Virgil van Dijk added in his programme notes: “Tonight, of course, will be the first Premier League game we have played since we lost Diogo and Andre.
“It will be a very emotional occasion for everybody associated with the club, and especially for Diogo’s wife, Rute, their children and his family, who will be in attendance this evening.
“They remain, of course, the most important people in all of this, and it is important that we as a club – players, staff, supporters – are there for them always, and that they know that they will always be loved and welcomed here at Anfield.
“I know that will be the case. Liverpool is a family, and tonight we will show that once more.”
Liverpool have been in close contact with Jota’s family as they seek to honour their No. 20, which has already seen his number retired and the players don a special emblem on their kits.
A permanent memorial sculpture is also in the works, with the tributes left at Anfield to be used to help create a place of remembrance.
The release of Liverpool’s new Adidas home and away kits came with Jota’s ‘Diogo J. 20’ shirts available and it was the second-best seller, with all profits of official sales going to the LFC Foundation.
?? Anfield being prepped for a crowd mosaic in honour of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. pic.twitter.com/hyzyJMDbmU
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) August 15, 2025
A grassroots football programme will be created in Jota’s name as the club endeavour to ensure he will never be forgotten.
Anfield will feature a pre-match mosaic across The Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, honouring Diogo and Andre.
The Premier League has confirmed a moment’s silence will be observed at all top-flight matches this weekend.
* Supporters can purchase the matchday programme here, with copies also available at the stadium and club stores.