Diogo Jota 'more than played his part' in creating Liverpool history, says Warnock

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes Diogo Jota "more than played his part" in the Reds' recent success following the news of his death. 

Jota, who was 28, and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in Spain shortly after midnight local time on Thursday. 

The crash took place in the Spanish province of Zamora. Jota's brother was 25 and also a professional footballer. He played for Portuguese second-tier team Penafiel.

Jota arrived on Merseyside from Wolves in a reported £41m move in 2020, and went on to become a pivotal player during Jurgen Klopp's final few years in the Anfield dugout. 

He played 182 matches across all competitions for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals and registering 26 assists, while also winning four major honours with the Reds. 

Jota helped Liverpool win their second Premier League title in five years last season, also lifting the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2021-22, going on to win the latter again in 2023-24. 

Even though Jota did not start every week, Warnock, who made 67 appearances for Liverpool between 2002 and 2007, felt the Portugal forward more than made his mark during his time with the club. 

"I think there was the Arsenal goal where he sat [Aaron] Ramsdale on his backside, wasn't it?" Warnock exclusively told Stats Perform about his favourite moment by Jota for Liverpool.

"I mean, that was just so cheeky and so much quality that he had.

"Yeah, I think there's probably far too many to really narrow one down, but that one stands out, should I say, because of how cheeky it was and the quality and how calm he looked in front of goal.

"I think one of the things that we often talked about when we talked about Diogo Jota is, and I heard this talked about by so many people, an incredible leap for such a small guy, someone who could get in positions and just ghosted into those positions and found space in the penalty area so well. Instinctive.

"Yeah, so I think when you think of that, those qualities, and like you say, someone who was so important to Liverpool in such an important period of time in Liverpool's history, he more than played his part."

Jota made his Premier League debut for Liverpool in September 2020, netting the final goal in a 3-1 win over Arsenal, the first of many he scored against the Gunners. 

Indeed, only against Leicester City (nine) did Jota score more goals across his entire professional career than Arsenal (eight), while he also registered two assists. 

While known for his goal-scoring prowess, Warnock believes that Jota's work rate off the ball is what saw him gain admirers from the Liverpool fanbase. 

"I just think from the early days at Liverpool, I think straight away it was the work rate of the guy and the way he came across. It was infectious, and fans straight away jumped on board with that," Warnock added. 

"I think for someone so small, so slight, he brought a different dynamic to Liverpool in the way that they played, and it was so different to who he effectively replaced in Roberto Firmino, which was big shoes to fill.

"But, yeah, he just had that natural ability to be likeable. Some people have it, some people don't, but he just had this amazing smile on his face every time he played football, but he also had a bit of a nasty streak to him as well, which you need to get to the top, and he had that ability as well, but he mixed the two so, so well.

"I think when you look at all the pictures and the tributes being paid to him today, the incredible smile on his face, the likeability about him, the players in and around him, loving his company as well. I think that just speaks volumes for the person and what he's like."