Cork's Claudia Maguire performs Diogo Jota tribute at first Liverpool match since his death

Cork singer and actress Claudia Rose Maguire performed a rendition of Liverpool F.C. anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' yesterday in honour of Diogo Jota, at the club's first match since Jota's death.

The Liverpool forward and his brother, André Silva, died earlier this month in a car crash in Zamora, Spain. Tributes have poured in from stars around the world, including Oasis, who paid homage to Jota at the first show of their reunion tour in Cardiff last week.

Liverpool faced off against Preston North End F.C. at Preston's Deepdale Stadium in a preseason friendly, with Maguire performing before kick-off.

In a video posted by Liverpool on X, fans of both teams sang along to the tune, which is originally from the musical Carousel but was embraced by Liverpool fans after local band Gerry and the Pacemakers covered it in 1963. Scarves, shirts and flags bearing Jota's name were held up during the performance.

You’ll Never Walk Alone ❤️ pic.twitter.com/o3DxOqgSZw

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 13, 2025

As Maguire sang, Preston captain Ben Whiteman carried out a wreath and laid it on the ground in front of Liverpool away supporters. Players also held a minute of silence to commemorate Jota.

Maguire also sang Preston's anthem, 'Can't Help Falling In Love', performed in 1961 by Elvis Presley. Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Maguire said she had only prepared to sing Preston's anthem.

"Then you get told you'll be singing the biggest song ever, 'You'll Never Walk Alone'," Maguire said.

"I just wanted to do it justice and have it perfectly sung ... I didn't want to look at the fans...I would have just burst into tears...Hearing them sing along is something that I will remember forever."

Maguire is married to footballer Sean Maguire of Cork City F.C. and formerly of the Irish national team. Sean played for Preston from 2017 to 2023. In an Instagram post, Claudia thanked the Preston fans she had come to know well.

"An absolute honour and privilege to have sang at such a memorable event," Claudia wrote.

"To sing for the Preston fans who I got to know every weekend for many years watching Sean play and honour them with their anthem, and to sing you’ll never walk alone in remembrance of Diogo Jota and André Silva.... I am so grateful to have been apart of it all."

 

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A post shared by CLAUDIA ROSE LONG MAGUIRE (@claudiaroselong_)

In the end, Liverpool won the match 3-1. Their next match against A.C. Milan will take place on July 26 in Hong Kong.