The football world is still coming to terms with the news that Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, have tragically passed away. The untimely death of a Premier League great has both footballers and fans confronting their own mortality. With pre-season underway for some, and on the horizon for others, Liverpool have made changes to their 2025/26 preparations following the death of their beloved teammate.
It has only been two days since the football world found out that Portuguese international and Liverpool player Diogo Jota had passed away. Travelling through Spain in order to get a ferry back to England in time for pre-season in Merseyside, a tragic vehicular accident occurred that took the lives of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.
With everyone still in mourning over the sudden news, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers player's funeral took place on 5 July, with a collection of family, friends and teammates all in attendance. With tributes continuing to flood in and flowers being laid all over Anfield and Molineux Stadium, Liverpool have had to pivot on the fly and alter their pre-season plans ahead of their title defence, a move no one can question.
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Liverpool Alter Pre-Season Plans Following Diogo Jota's Tragic Death
Some players were originally set to return on the day of the funeral
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As of this weekend, a handful of clubs have already gotten their pre-season preparations underway. Those mainly being clubs in the lower leagues, with many Premier League sides returning next week ahead of the 2025/26 season, Liverpool have had a change of course.
A part of the season that most clubs relish, as they can reunite with teammates and prepare for a season of intense football, for Liverpool, it will mark the coming together of a group of mourning friends. Still processing the news, and understandably so, as per The Athletic, Liverpool recognised this and altered their plans for pre-season.
Originally set to return for fitness tests on July 4, that date was cancelled following the news of Jota's passing. Now opting for a staggered return, the Athletic noted that some players and staff will return to Melwood on Monday, July 7, and after that, it will be a slow process of the full group getting together as and when deemed appropriate.
A classy move from Liverpool to put the mental well-being of their players ahead of any desire to defend their Premier League title. Never more so has being a team been so important for the red side of Liverpool.
A club filled with passionate supporters and equally passionate players, everyone involved in the football club will need to lean on one another during the upcoming season and help each other through a traumatic experience. GiveMeSport and the footballing world continue to send their love to Jota's friends and family, and anyone affected by the situation.
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