04 Jul 2025 01:34:43
A new red rises - Jota joins the Liverpool legends.
The heavens were unusually bright that morning, like Anfield on a European night - that soft golden glow just before kickoff.
Bill Shankly stood at the gates, arms behind his back, waiting patiently. Bob Paisley beside him, quiet as ever but with that proud glint in his eye. The whisper had already travelled across the sky:
“Diogo Jota is coming. ”
And he wasn’t coming alone - his brother was by his side, hand in hand, just as they’d always been.
As the gates swung open, Jota stepped through a little dazed, still carrying the energy of a life lived too quickly, too fiercely, too beautifully. But he was met not with sadness, not here. He was met with smiles.
“Son, ” said Shankly, grinning, “You’ve earned your place here. ”
Bob handed him a folded red shirt - no crests, no sponsors. Just the colour. Eternal. Sacred.
“Once a Red” said Paisley.
“Always a Red, ” Jota finished, placing his hand on his heart.
The team was waiting. Emlyn Hughes jogged over, ball under arm, laughing as always. Tommy Smith clapped him on the back. Ian St John gave him a wink. Ronnie Moran, Phil Taylor, and Joe Fagan sat by the touchline, nodding proudly. Even little Michael Robinson tossed him the ball with a cheeky grin.
“Ready to lace up, lad? ” Emlyn asked.
Jota looked at his brother, who was already settling into the best seat in the heavenly Kop, surrounded by angels and Reds who’d gone before.
He smiled. “Aye. Let’s play. ”
And so the whistle blew in a sky no eye can see, and a new kind of match began - one not measured in goals, but in joy, in love, in legacy.
Back on Earth, hearts broke but heads lifted.
Because somewhere up there, the Liverpool family grew stronger. Another player joined the squad. Another brother stood proud in the stands.
Diogo Jota - forever a Red.
04 Jul 2025 03:59:03
Salah that’s special mate, made me a little bit sadder but that is special your a good red.
{Ed078's Note - Geez Salah, just when I thought I couldn't be more moved by the events of the past 24 hours, you go and kick me in the feels.
04 Jul 2025 07:16:40
Just amazing ❤️.
04 Jul 2025 07:39:01
That's wonderful piece salah, actually helps to think the lfc family in the skies above will be with him now that the rest of us here can't.
04 Jul 2025 08:02:56
That’s quality Salah
RIP Lad
YNWA, he’s up there with the poor 97 souls and Liverpool players lost along the way.
04 Jul 2025 08:10:20
How you could even come up with such a beautiful passage is beyond my mind Salah. I ve been struggling to make sense of this whole thing, and something like this just breathes a little hope back in.
That was special.
You truly are the greatest poster on this site. Thanks for this post. I needed it.
04 Jul 2025 08:52:31
I wasnt planning on crying today ?.
04 Jul 2025 09:02:26
Gave me the shivers, Salah.
Sleep tight Diogo.
You won't be forgotten.
04 Jul 2025 08:49:40
Wow. Just wow. That was incredible salah. That has helped me so much today. Just beautiful. Maybe the eds could pin it to the top of the site. I think it's something everyone here could do with reading.
04 Jul 2025 12:41:44
Brilliance salah well said mate.
Still hasn’t sunk in. RIP Diogo and Andre.
04 Jul 2025 14:02:11
Good grief Salah, I was in bits yesterday and those words are getting me back there again! RIP Diogo and your brother Andrea, thoughts are with their families and friends.
04 Jul 2025 14:34:46
Thank you everyone!
04 Jul 2025 18:41:40
What an excellent piece Salah. It's emotional and I cried but I don't care. Sometimes you have to let it all out.