Liverpool has halted the phased return of its roster to preseason training following the death of Diogo Jota, according to reports.
The 28-year-old was killed in a car crash in Spain on Thursday alongside his brother, Andre Silva. The incident happened within two weeks of the Liverpool soccer player marrying his childhood sweetheart and the mother of his three children, Rute Cardoso.
Several notable players, including Andy Robertson, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Virgil van Dijk, have paid tribute to Jota since his death. The forward's loved ones have gathered in Portugal to pay their respects, with a funeral service scheduled for Saturday at 10 am local time.
As reported by the Daily Star, Arne Slot's players were scheduled to start preseason training on Friday, but this has now been put back. It's unclear when Liverpool's grieving stars will return to preseason.
Robertson was among those to post an emotional tribute to Jota on Thursday.
"The ones I’m thinking about most right now are the family," Robertson wrote, alongside a photo from Jota's recent wedding. "Their loss is too much to bear. I’m so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.
Liverpool's roster will not return to training just yet
Liverpool's roster will not return to training just yet (Image: Getty Images)
"For the team and the Club, we’ll try to cope with this together... however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.
"I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It’s the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.
"Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I’ve ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I’d try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.
"We’d watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had.
"The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.
"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. Love you, Diogo."
Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was also among those to share a message. He wrote on social media: "It's so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone.
"Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for Andre as well. Brothers and best friends.
"When it's less painful, I want to remember Diogo with a big smile. So many laughs and happy moments. He was such a great teammate and a true friend. Forever number 20. Rest in peace, Diogo."