Liverpool players and fans paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, on Friday at the first competitive match at Anfield since their deaths last month.
Ahead of kickoff in the Premier League game against Bournemouth, fans held up placards to spell out "DJ20" and "AS30" in two of the stands during a period of silence in honor of the Portuguese players, who were killed in a car crash in Spain. Players from the Liverpool team stood arm-in-arm around the center circle.
Players from both clubs wore black armbands, as did Liverpool manager Arne Slot and members of his backroom staff.
Before that, there was a rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" as banners, flags and scarves commemorating Jota were waved in the crowd. A picture of Jota and Silva was shown on the big screen.
"The main emotion should be how impressive and powerful the tribute for Diogo was," Liverpool manager Arne Slot told a news conference. "The banner the Kop showed, the way they sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone,' the way they sung for Diogo throughout the game.
"It was all so impressive and so powerful. "
Liverpool's path to the defense of their title started with a late 4-2 victory, but the match was soured by alleged racist abuse directed at Bournemouth midfielder Antoine Semenyo.
Mohamed Salah, who paid tribute to Jota with his celebration after scoring the Reds' final goal, was tearful and emotional at full-time while Liverpool fans continued to commemorate Jota.
Jota played for Liverpool for the past five seasons, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, and the club has retired his No. 20 jersey number.
In the 20th minute of Friday's game, Liverpool fans held a minute's applause for Jota.
Liverpool will have a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield to honor Jota.
Information from ESPN's Beth Lindop, The Associated Press and PA was used in this report.
