Jurgen Klopp shares Diogo Jota moment that sums up why he was so loved by Liverpool fans

The former Liverpool manager wrote about Diogo Jota ahead of the Premier League clash between the Reds and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield - with an emotional atmosphere expected

Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of Liverpool vs Wolves

Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of the meeting between his former clubs, Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers, on Saturday.

The clash at Anfield is the first time the teams have met since the tragic events of the summer, which claimed the lives of Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident. Unsurprisingly, there have been numerous commemorations of the Portuguese forward ahead of the game, with Jota’s children set to be mascots at Anfield.

Wolves players paid tribute to Jota outside the memorial at the stadium on Friday, while Van Dijk has also written about his former team-mates in the Times.

Klopp has done likewise in the Observer, and the man who brought him from Wolves to Liverpool admitted he has struggled to comprehend the enormity of Jota’s death.

“His loss – and André’s loss – is one of the hardest moments I’ve ever had to try to process,” wrote Klopp, who added the brothers' passing made him question if there was a 'higher meaning' to life.

“In truth I still haven’t found any answers," he continued. "Some questions have no answers, I guess. But despite all that pain, I also felt something else: gratitude. Gratitude I coached him. Gratitude I knew him. Gratitude I brought him to Liverpool – those supporters in particular got to share in his brilliance and his goodness.”

Klopp and Jota enjoyed a fantastic relationship during their time at Liverpool

Klopp also provided an insight into what made the Reds’ eternal no.20 so highly regarded by fans and those he shared a dressing room with.

“Diogo said in his first interview as a Liverpool player that he was ‘a team player. I will help [the team] the best I can’. He lived those words every day.

“Ability plus attitude. That is why he had such a big impact in Liverpool. He was the supporters’ representative on the pitch.

Diogo Jota celebrated in front of the Leicester fans after scoring Liverpool's winning penalty(Image: Getty Images)

“As demonstrated by his reaction to slotting the winning penalty against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup… a competition we went on to win. He was screaming at the away section of Anfield and I wondered why. Later I was told it was because he took exception to chants from some of Leicester’s supporters that night about poverty in Liverpool. So Diogo.

“I remember walking down the plane or bus on away trips and seeing Diogo juggling devices: one playing Championship Manager; another with Candy Crush; the third watching someone gaming; and the fourth following and supporting André, who played professionally in Portugal,” Klopp added.

“This complex mix of competitiveness, total absorption in football and absolute kindness – that was Diogo.

“But even in the sadness, I choose to remember joy because he brought so much of it. He lived with joy. He played with joy. I honestly believe remembering him with a smile is exactly what he would want.

“For Rute, for the children, for the whole family, I hope you know how deeply he was admired and how much he meant to so many people. My thoughts, my heart, my strength are with you.”