Trent Alexander-Arnold Reflects on Anfield Return After Diogo Jota's Death
Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed how a return to Anfield after his move to Real Madrid helped him process the death of former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota.
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car crash in Spain in July 2025. Alexander-Arnold was thousands of miles away at the time, in the United States with Real Madrid for the Club World Cup, and said the distance made the tragedy even harder to bear.
“I think that's what was difficult… going through it on your own,” he told the Sunday Mirror. “Everybody else who had known him for that amount of time were all grouped together.
“It was difficult, and then having to continue to play games and them being so far away was hard. But coming back to Anfield and being able to go to the stadium and put some flowers down really helped me get that closure.”
Anfield return, and a farewell
Alexander-Arnold and Jota shared five seasons together at Liverpool before the England right-back completed his move to Real Madrid in 2025. Their bond stretched well beyond the pitch.
He explained that the pair spoke “every day” and that their relationship was built on a mix of friendship and fierce competitiveness, especially during their injury recoveries.
“I was injured a couple of times when he was and we were doing our training to get back fit together, and we were both very competitive,” he said. “We would always, you know, have different competitions between ourselves. Those are the kind of memories that I’ll hold close to me.”
Then came the more personal tribute.
“He was just a really good guy. Like he was very honest. That’s one of the best attributes that anybody can have. He was hardworking. He loved what he did, and was a massive family man.”
‘Forever 20’ at Anfield
Liverpool have continued to honour Jota’s memory in the year since his death.
In July, on the eve of the first anniversary of the crash, the club unveiled a permanent memorial at Anfield to Jota and his brother. The sculpture, titled Forever 20, was created by renowned artist Emma Rodgers.
At its centre sits a flowing heart, a nod to Jota’s trademark goal celebration and a visual anchor for supporters who watched him light up Anfield.
“‘Forever 20’ will serve as a permanent symbol of love, unity and remembrance, and a place where everyone can reflect, remember and pay their respects,” the club said in a statement.
For Alexander-Arnold, one visit back to Anfield, some flowers laid at the stadium, and a moment of quiet in front of that memory wall offered something footballers rarely get in the middle of a relentless season: a chance to say goodbye.
