James Milner tribute to Diogo Jota sparks emotional moment in Premier League clash
James Milner paid a heartfelt tribute to his former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota after scoring in Brighton’s Premier League clash against Manchester City.
The veteran midfielder scored the equaliser from the penalty spot and marked the moment by performing Jota’s iconic video game celebration.
Milner, who played alongside Jota at Anfield for three seasons, changed his shirt number to No.20 this season in honour of the late Portuguese forward.
Liverpool have retired the number in memory of Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident in Spain in July along with his brother, Andre Silva.
Brighton fell behind early as Erling Haaland gave City a first-half lead. Milner restored parity in the 67th minute with a composed penalty, and later Brajan Gruda scored a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory for the Seagulls.
The celebration and number change were emotional reminders of Jota’s impact at Liverpool and his bond with Milner.
Brighton fans celebrated not just the three points but the touching homage to a player who left a lasting mark on English football.