ReactionFederico Chiesa describes emotions of goal dedicated to Diogo Jota
Federico Chiesa described the strong emotions he felt after scoring a dramatic goal for Liverpool that he dedicated to Diogo Jota.
The Reds were drawing 2-2 with AFC Bournemouth in their Premier League opener at Anfield on Friday night when Chiesa was introduced from the bench with 81 on the clock.
Seven minutes later, the Italian met a half-cleared ball inside the area with a volley into the Kop-end net that put Arne Slot’s team back ahead and sent the home supporters into ecstasy.
Chiesa’s first goal in the Premier League for the club was followed by a Mohamed Salah strike to seal a 4-2 win, in Liverpool’s first competitive home fixture since the passing of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.
“It is [the moment I’ve been waiting for]. It’s a great goal!” Chiesa told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“It was really emotional today and after I scored, my thoughts went to Diogo, to Andre, to his family who were here today. It was really emotional. The goal was for him.
“In my mind, I think that Diogo was somewhere in here helping me to score this goal. I’d like to think like that. He’s always with us, he’s going to be with us.
“It was tough today but there was a great atmosphere, the fans were amazing throughout the game. Also, I’m really grateful for the song they’re singing. Really, really emotional.”
The No.14 added: “Above all, at Anfield it seems like in the second half when you attack towards the Kop, it feels like the ball wants to go inside the net.
“And today, I want to think that we had also the help of Diogo and his brother up there.”
Liverpool looked to be heading for a much more straightforward result after Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo found the target either side of the interval for a 2-0 lead.
But the Cherries responded determinedly and hauled themselves level thanks to a second-half brace provided by Antoine Semenyo.
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“We showed that last year we deserved to be champions, we showed character, we showed determination,” said Chiesa of the Reds’ mentality to reclaim an advantage.
“Every game in the Premier League is not finished until the ref blows the whistle. So we have to be more concentrated above all, because we had the game in hand.
“We could have shown a bit more concentration, because I think we played a really good game and Bournemouth had these two chances on the counter-attack.
“At the end we had to score two goals but we need to improve before – we don’t need to arrive at the end with that we need to get two goals to win a game.
“But I think at the end of the day we showed why we were champions last year and we have players that can come in and get us over the hurdle and get us the win.”
Chiesa’s final words in reflecting on the evening’s events were for the Liverpool supporters, who once again showed their backing for the forward.
“I love the club,” he said. “I’m playing for one of the best clubs in the world and I feel the passion of the fans, I feel the energy. Playing at Anfield is mesmerising, it’s just incredible and I’m so happy to be here.”
