Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth turned into an evening of both celebration and sorrow, as Mohamed Salah was reduced to tears following a deeply emotional tribute to team-mate Diogo Jota.
The Reds defeated Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield on Friday night, with Salah adding his name to the scoresheet in stoppage time.
Yet the match was defined by its poignancy rather than the result, as Liverpool supporters rallied to honour Jota, who suffered the tragic loss of his brother, André Silva.
The evening began with a minute’s silence observed across the stadium before kick-off, a moment marked with hushed reverence. In the twentieth minute, Anfield rose once more as the Kop broke into the iconic anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, a gesture that carried profound weight on a night where football was secondary to collective compassion.
Throughout the match, chants for Jota echoed around the stands, with fans ensuring the Portuguese forward felt the unwavering solidarity of the Liverpool family.
The tributes resumed at the final whistle, long after the goals had been scored, as Anfield continued to sing his name.
It was in these moments, surrounded by the raw emotion of the crowd, that Salah struggled to hold back tears. Standing before the Kop, the Egyptian international lingered in silence, visibly overcome by the depth of the occasion.
For Liverpool, the victory over Bournemouth brought three points to begin their campaign, but the evening will be remembered more for its humanity than its football.
It was a night that underlined the club’s enduring motto, reminding all present that in the face of tragedy, You’ll Never Walk Alone is more than just a song—it is a promise.
Mohamed Salah was the last player to leave the pitch, joining in with a tearful rendition of Diogo Jota’s chant in front of the Kop ❤️ pic.twitter.com/c5Vj4Rfr8C
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 15, 2025
