(Video) Virgil van Dijk’s heartfelt moment with Diogo Jota’s children before the match is sure to move you to tears.

Jürgen Klopp made a shrewd call when he handed Virgil van Dijk the Liverpool captaincy following Jordan Henderson’s departure in the summer of 2023. Throughout his eight years at Anfield, the Dutch centre-back has proven himself a towering presence on the pitch, leading through his performances while also commanding the defence with his voice.

Beyond his influence during matches, the 34-year-old has shown himself to be an outstanding representative of the club off the field. His words and actions consistently reflect Liverpool’s values, highlighted by his determination to include Alan Hansen and Mark and Jo McVeigh of the Owen McVeigh Foundation in last May’s Premier League trophy presentation.

Van Dijk shares touching moment with Diogo Jota’s children

Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday carried deep emotional weight, as fans of both clubs paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota, who had played for both sides, in their first meeting since his tragic passing in July.

Jota’s sons, Dinis and Duarte, accompanied the players onto the pitch before kick-off, and Van Dijk shared a heartfelt moment with them moments later. As You’ll Never Walk Alone echoed around Anfield, the Liverpool captain spent a few minutes playing with the children in the penalty area in front of the Kop.

A gesture that summed up Van Dijk’s class

The moment perfectly captured Van Dijk’s character. Even with the pressure of a crucial Premier League match moments away, he took time to acknowledge the significance of the day and bring a sense of comfort and joy to the children of his late teammate.

As a father himself, Van Dijk understands that while winning matches matters, family comes first. His gesture resonated deeply inside Anfield, where both sets of supporters united to honour Jota, applauding chants in his memory during the 18th and 20th minutes.

As 2025 comes to an end, Diogo Jota and his family remain firmly in the hearts of everyone connected to Liverpool FC. His legacy will live on forever, not only on Merseyside but also at Molineux.