James Milner sends touching Diogo Jota message after Liverpool return

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Former Liverpool star James Milner has hailed the “special moment” of taking to the Anfield pitch wearing Diogo Jota’s old number. The veteran midfielder returned to Merseyside on Saturday as his current side Brighton slipped to a 2-0 defeat - Hugo Ekitike’s brace proving decisive for Arne Slot ’s side.

And while Milner was frustrated to be on the losing side, he was more keen to pay tribute to former teammate Jota. The Portuguese forward died in a devastating car crash earlier this year, with Milner claiming his number 20 shirt at Brighton as a tribute.

Taking to Instagram after Saturday’s clash, Milner wrote: "Disappointing result but happy to be back out on the pitch and a special moment to play at Anfield wearing the #20. A massive thank you for the incredible welcome from the Anfield crowd YNWA."

He added: "Also to the travelling fans for your continued support, we need you with us over this period."

Milner confirmed his decision to claim the number 20 shirt earlier this season, having previously donned seven at Liverpool , while he wore six during his past two campaigns with the Seagulls.

Speaking about his new shirt number, Milner said: "Once I heard Carlos [Baleba] was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and to obviously pay tribute to Diogo Jota.

"He was an amazing player, who I was fortunate to play with, and he was a great friend as well. It will be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League this year."

Milner, 39, spent a hugely successful spell at Liverpool after arriving from Manchester City on a free transfer. He went on to make 332 appearances for the club, winning the Champions League , the Premier League, the FA Cup , the League Cup and a whole host of other trophies.

The midfielder departed the club in 2023 as he joined Brighton at the end of his contract. Upon his return to Anfield, Milner was given a standing ovation by the home crowd.

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Another to have received a positive reception was Mo Salah , who was introduced as a first-half substitute. Asked about that response, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: “I think he wasn't the only player who walked around the pitch thanking the fans because the fans deserved a thank you from us.

“I think our players worked incredibly hard today to keep a clean sheet and for the first time in weeks – or maybe I should say months – we had a little bit of luck with that as well. I think we did a lot of things well, but also had a little bit of luck.

“We've had games where we've not conceded a chance but conceded three goals. Today we definitely did concede chances but they didn't go in. Mo is going to go to the AFCON now, I hope he is going to do very well and in the meantime we have to play here without him with not that many players available at the moment.

“The good thing is we play on Saturday and then a week in between and then again Saturday. That's the situation.”

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