Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves emotional Diogo Jota tribute at Anfield ahead of Liverpool return
The former Liverpool defender is back in the city with Real Madrid for Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash
Alexander-Arnold pays tribute at Anfield (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold was part of a Real Madrid contingent who placed a wreath at the memorial of Diogo Jota outside of Anfield ahead of their Champions League clash with Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Alexander-Arnold was flanked by los Blancos coach and former Reds star Xabi Alonso, team-mate Dean Huijsen and the legendary Emilio Butragueno as the La Liga club paid tribute to Jota, who died in a car accident with his brother Andre in July.
Since Jota’s death in northern Spain in the early hours of July 3, Liverpool have had a memorial for the popular Portuguese outside their ground and Alexander-Arnold, who played with the No.20 for five years, placed down a floral tribute for his ex-colleague on Monday evening.
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Alexander-Arnold’s handwritten message read: “My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved. Yours and Andre’s memory will always live on.
“I smile everytime I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared. Miss you mate, every day. Forever 20 YNWA. Love Trent and family.”
A picture shows a message from Real Madrid’s English defender #12 Trent Alexander-Arnold and family attached to a wreath layed in memory of Liverpool’s late Portugese striker Diogo Jota after a press conference at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool in north-west England, on November 3, 2025, on the eve of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League league phase football match against Liverpool. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
A games console pad was also put down at the scene in honour of Jota’s well-known love of gaming. The red Playstation pad was signed: “Forever a champion 20. TAA.”
Liverpool retired their No.20 shortly after the sudden passing of Jota, who joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020.
