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Irish Liverpool fans are devastated following the death of top player Diogo Jota, as they plan on doing something special to commemorate him.
The footballer was tragically killed with his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. Super-fan Ed Fitzsimons said he was in shock to hear the horrific news, as he saw the talented player score his last ever goal – which was a winner against Everton in April.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, the Dublin-based Reds supporter said: “I was lucky enough to be at that game. It’s absolutely devastating, those were the words when I found out this morning. Everyone is shocked and devastated.”
Liverpool were at the highest of highs when they won the Premier League, and could finally celebrate after lifting the trophy to an empty crowd in 2020. However, their joy soon came crashing down when over 100 people were injured when a car hit a crowd at the Red’s Premier League victory parade in the city.
Ed said: “I was there for the Premier League last game and the parade and all the stuff that happened, you think you get past it and bang this happens, so it just goes to show no matter what phase in life you are or how much money you have or how good you are at football things can happen.”
Joey O’Leary, who is part of Donegal’s Liverpool Supporters Club, said Diogo’s tragic death brings “a reality check”. He said: “We take a lot of things for granted, when you get news like this it’s heart-breaking.
“It’s one of those things where you sort of think ‘Is there a jinx on Liverpool or something?’ but these things happen in a lot of different clubs but it certainly puts a dampener on the celebrations. When the season restarts I’m sure it will be a very emotional time in Anfield.”
At just 28 years old, Diogo was not only at the peak of his footballing career but was building a life with his young family. Just 11 days before he died, he married the mother of his three children, Rute Cardoso.
And Liverpool fans all say the same thing – he will be deeply missed from the team. Joey continued: “Myself and Paul, my nephew, were at the last game of the season, we saw a lot of matches where Diogo played and scored significant goals.
“He was probably the best finisher in the club, when he got a chance he really did take it. In the last couple of seasons he was a bit injury prone but when he got his chance he generally buried it. The fans loved him.” Ed added: “He had a killer instinct, he had an awful lot of injuries but when (Arne) Slot would bring him on sparingly he would get a goal.
“He was nearly your go-to man under Slott and (Jurgen) Klopp. To be shut down at the prime of your life, 28, that’s your prime years in football 27,28, 29. He would have just kept going and getting better.”
Ed, who has organised Liverpool events in Dublin before, said Irish fans will do something to commemorate Diogo. He said: “I’m sure the Liverpool fans will be singing his name because he wore the number 20 so they will probably sing it on the 20th minute for the home games for 20 games, I’d imagine something like that.
“But I have gotten a couple of texts from fans that want to do something here, we might lay a wreath on the Liverpool tree planted in the Phoenix Park, it’s a go-to place for fans. I pass on my deepest condolences to all of Diogo’s family and friends.”
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