Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth

Posted Saturday, August 16, 2025 by goal

Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-BOURNEMOUTH

Arne Slot says he "would have loved" to have brought on Diogo Jota in a heartbreaking admission following Liverpool's dramatic 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Reds found themselves in search of a late winner after their two-goal lead was wiped out by a second-half double from Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo on the opening night of the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
Liverpool v Bournemouth - Premier League

THE BIGGER PICTURE

In an inspired substitution, Slot turned to Federico Chiesa in Liverpool's moment of need and the Italy international came up trumps, putting his side 3-2 ahead before Mohamed Salah added a fourth to seal all three points for the Anfield club. However, Slot admitted after the match that he wished he could have brought on Jota, 28, who tragically died alongside his brother Andre Silva, 25, in a car crash in Spain in July.

WHAT SLOT SAID

In an emotional post-match interview, Slot said: "Normally at 2-2 everyone knows which player I look to at that moment in time. I would have loved to bring in Diogo Jota, but I could not for terrible reasons. But tonight the fans and the players did what he did for us many times in the past."

TELL ME MORE

Powerful tributes were paid before, during and after the match to Jota, whose family were in attendance at Anfield. Liverpool supporters in both the Kop and the Sir Kenny Dalglish stands formed mosaics which read 'DJ20' and 'AS30', while talisman Salah was moved to tears as he joined in a rendition of Jota's chant.

Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-BOURNEMOUTH

WHAT NEXT FOR SLOT AND LIVERPOOL?

Next up for Liverpool is a tricky away trip to Newcastle United on August 25. The Merseysiders had a £110 million ($149m) bid rejected by the Toon for Alexander Isak on August 1, with the striker currently refusing to play for Eddie Howe's men amid his preference to move to the Premier League champions this summer.