Liverpool fans pay tribute to Diogo Jota: flowers and messages at Anfield

Liverpool fans gathered at Anfield on Thursday to commemorate the club's striker Diogo Jota, leaving flowers, scarves and messages of condolence outside the stadium.

Jota and his brother André died in a car crash in northwestern Spain in the early hours of Thursday, when the car they were traveling in overturned and caught fire, authorities said.

"I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it," said Nisha Abraham, a 21-year-old fan.

Footage from the crash site shows police blocking a two-lane highway as officers examine the charred remains of the car, which overturned and came to rest on the central reservation.

Jota, 28, had just married his partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, at the end of June.

Jota arrived at Anfield in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Jota's brother André Silva, who died with him, was also a footballer who played for Penafiel, a team in the Portuguese second division.

“It makes no sense. We had just been together in the national team, you had just gotten married,” teammate Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on X.

Liverpool Football Club said they were devastated by the news of Jota's death.