Liverpool have cancelled the phased return of players for pre-season training as they continue to mourn the death of forward Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash in Spain
11:08, 04 Jul 2025Updated 11:17, 04 Jul 2025
(Image: PA)
Liverpool have put a halt to the staggered return of players for pre-season training as they grieve the loss of striker Diogo Jota.
The initial batch of Arne Slot's squad were due to report to the club's AXA training facility on Friday for the first round of fitness tests following their summer hiatus.
However, it is understood by PA news agency that this has been delayed as the club grapples with the aftermath of the devastating incident which claimed the lives of 28-year-old Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident in Spain in the early hours of Thursday.
Mourners convened at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, preceding the brothers' funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme at 10am on Saturday. Portugal's head coach Roberto Martinez expressed the nation's sorrow over losing "one of its heroes". "We feel the family's pain and, in this tragedy, we question life in general," he said in a video shared by the Portuguese Football Federation.
"We have created a family in the national team that goes far beyond football and Diogo is an important part of that – on and off the field. Portugal will miss one of its heroes."
Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot emphasised the need for everyone connected with the club to "stand together and be there for one another".
Article continues below
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland brings flowers to Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28. The Portugal forward died along with his younger brother Andre Silva in the accident in Zamora on Thursday morning. Picture date: Friday July 4, 2025.
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland brings flowers to Anfield Stadium(Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Tributes at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28. The Portugal forward died along with his younger brother Andre Silva in the accident in Zamora on Thursday morning. Picture date: Friday July 4, 2025.
Tributes at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota(Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
"For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a team-mate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special. We need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves."
Diogo Jota's team-mates have expressed their difficulty in coming to terms with his passing. Captain Virgil van Dijk shared on Instagram that he was "absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man," he added.
"A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it." Andy Robertson, who attended Jota's wedding to long-term partner Rute Cardoso less than two weeks ago, posted: "I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. "
Article continues below
Liverpool FC, who are supporting Jota's family, have opened a book of condolence, both physically in the Anfield Road Stand and online, lowered flags to half-mast and closed all stores and the museum and suspended all tours until Monday.
Supporters continue to leave flowers, scarves and shirts at a makeshift shrine outside Anfield and similar scenes are unfolding at Wolves' Molineux Stadium, where Jota spent three years before his transfer to Liverpool.