Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals true colors on Anfield return with Diogo Jota gesture
Trent Alexander-Arnold showed his true colours on his first return to Anfield with Real Madrid as the England international led Real Madrid’s delegation to pay tribute to Diogo Jota
Trent Alexander-Arnold joined a Real Madrid delegation who laid a wreath at the Diogo Jota memorial outside Anfield before their Champions League encounter with Liverpool on Tuesday evening.
The England defender was accompanied by Los Blancos boss and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso, teammate Dean Huijsen and club icon Emilio Butragueno as the Spanish giants honoured Jota, who tragically died in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva in July.
Following Jota’s death in northern Spain during the early hours of July 3, Liverpool erected a shrine to the beloved Portuguese striker outside their stadium, and Alexander-Arnold, who shared the pitch with the No. 20 for five seasons, laid flowers for his former teammate on Monday night.
Alexander-Arnold’s personal note stated: “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 gaming controller was also placed at the memorial site as a nod to Jota’s passion for video games. The crimson PlayStation controller bore the inscription: “Forever a champion 20. TAA.”
Liverpool withdrew their No. 20 shirt following the unexpected loss of Jota, who arrived at the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020.
Alexander-Arnold returns to Anfield for the first time since his summer move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Speaking ahead of the game, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was asked about the England international’s return to Anfield.
“Let’s see [what the reception is]. I’m not going to say [I want a hostile atmosphere]. I’m not going to comment on that,” Van Dijk said.
“I think Trent is a quality player. He showed it so many times, he’s a very gifted player and he was important for us over all those years.
“I was very happy to have him in my team. We have been very successful, but now he’s an opponent on Tuesday. If he plays then we have to make it very difficult for him to do what he’s good at.”
