‘Tears are prayers’: Liverpool chaplain’s moving tribute to Jota | OneFootball

Liverpool’s official club chaplain has spoken movingly in the aftermath of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing, offering words of unity, comfort and compassion to help all of us come to terms with the unthinkable.

Bill Bygroves, who has been part of the club for decades and was famously signed by Bill Shankly as a schoolboy, delivered an emotional reflection as part of LFCTV’s ‘Remembering Diogo: Our Number 20’ broadcast.

Speaking at Anfield, surrounded by thousands of tributes laid in honour of the Portuguese forward and his younger brother Andre Silva, Bygroves shared a message that resonated across the city and beyond.

“There’s like a blanket of love here,” he said.

“That shows the empathy and sympathy that is being displayed by our city and others beyond.

“Because in one way or another we can all identify with grief. But when it comes like this, so traumatic and devastating, it touches all of our hearts.”

His words echoed what so many have felt in recent days.

The loss of one of our own, a player who gave us unforgettable moments on the pitch and who clearly meant so much more off it, has left a huge hole in the Liverpool family.

Jota tributes at Anfield met with compassion and strength

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Bygroves continued: “Folk just want to show to the family how much we care and how much we love and that they are in our thoughts and prayers continually.”

Offering guidance for how we as a fanbase, and as individuals, can begin to process the grief, he added: “You do need time. That’s important. You do need to shed tears.”

Then came perhaps the most powerful quote of all: “Tears are the safety valves of the heart when too much pressure is on them. They’re like liquid prayers. They say things we haven’t got the words for.”

Those words will stay with many of us as we try to make sense of what has happened.

Diogo Jota will never be forgotten by Liverpool FC

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Supporters continue to gather at Anfield, where scarves, shirts, PlayStation controllers, banners and flowers flood the area in tribute to the No.20 who helped us lift our 20th league title.

Liverpool have seemingly hinted at plans to immortalise Jota’s shirt number in memory of his contribution to that title-winning campaign.

The club also set up a book of condolences at the stadium and online, allowing supporters worldwide to leave messages for the family.

For those still struggling, Bygroves’ message may offer some solace.

He urged everyone to treasure their memories and allow time to grieve: “Keep and lock in your heart precious memories of folk and allow them to grieve in their own way, in their own time.”

This is Liverpool. This is what we do. We come together, we sing together, we mourn together And as Bygroves reminded us—sometimes, the most powerful tributes are the ones we can’t even find the words for.

Jota will never walk alone.

You can watch Bygroves’ comments on Jota (from 7:59) via Liverpool FC on YouTube: