Once speaking to supporter podcast The Anfield Wrap, Jota recalled: “We had a talk in the physio room after the game with Chris [Morgan], he always pays attention. He was like, ‘Did you hear?’ I was like, ‘Yes, but I’m not sure what they are saying!’
“But I think in that game it really kicked off and it was just a proud moment for me. Because obviously [they are] big supporters and to have your name in a chant, it’s massive and it’s a reason to be proud.”
Double cup joy
The Reds went on to lift the League Cup a month later by defeating Chelsea on penalties, with Jota converting his kick in the Wembley shootout.
They would ultimately be able to celebrate a domestic cup double by winning the FA Cup too, returning to the national stadium to meet the Blues again in the May.
Jota was on target twice during Liverpool’s journey in the competition, an Anfield effort against Cardiff City preceding an important winner in the quarter-finals at Nottingham Forest.
Beginning the showpiece on the bench, he was called upon to replace an injured Salah in the first half and saw out the remainder of another goalless but enthralling clash.
His reliability under pressure was evident yet again when he stepped up in the shootout for a penalty that had to be scored and did so, helping his side claim more silverware.
Stunning Spurs at Anfield
More than two years on, it’s still hard to comprehend how he was so calm.
April 2023 at Anfield, where Liverpool have surrendered a 3-0 lead – which they raced into within the first 15 minutes – against Tottenham Hotspur and in stoppage time now find themselves conceding an equaliser and drawing 3-3.
Everyone of a Red persuasion is deflated, the earlier elation turned to distinct disappointment.
But Jota hasn’t given it up and when a loose opposition touch from the restart presents him with a chance inside the box, the muscle memory kicks straight in.
He creates a shooting angle to the left of the target, arrows a low finish inside the far post and lifts every home supporter back off their seat.
Sublime.
A special moment of solidarity
In the autumn of 2023, Liverpool’s players and staff were rallying around Luis Diaz as his family dealt with a serious situation involving his father in Colombia.
As the news of a kidnapping initially emerged, on Merseyside the Reds hosted Forest at Anfield and Jota’s opening goal set them on their way to a 3-0 victory.
His act of solidarity after scoring, however, was the most powerful aspect of the afternoon.
Having netted during the first half, Jota immediately rushed to the touchline and held aloft a jersey bearing Diaz’s name and number – a moving show of support and a mark of the man.
