Former Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has given a powerful interview just days after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The pair played together 145 times during their time at Anfield, with their final act under Arne Slot being the Reds' record-equalling 20th English league title before Trent moved to Real Madrid.
Though no longer a Liverpool player, Trent was no doubt deeply affected by last week's news. The Portugal international and his brother, Andre Silva - aged 28 and 26 - died in a road accident in Spain, just two weeks after Jota married his childhood sweetheart. His funeral was held at the same venue as the wedding.
Several current and former teammates attended, including Jordan Henderson, who was visibly distraught as he laid flowers at Anfield two days prior. Trent couldn't attend due to his successful Club World Cup quarter-final with Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund but has since spoken publicly after previously sharing heartfelt words on social media.
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Jota joined the club in 2020 and spent five wonderful years at Anfield.
Trent Delivers Powerful Diogo Jota Speech
The Englishman admitted he has struggled to stay focussed
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"I had to try to perform for the team and help them win the game, no matter how difficult it was," Alexander-Arnold told DAZN after the game (watch his full interview below). "As hard as it was to do it, I had to push myself to focus on what my job and role was. I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult, and I am not going to lie about that.
"[Jota] was one of my close friends - and I am sure that's what he would have wanted me to do. I'm sure we would have had a laugh and joke about the assist as well. He was there with me, I am sure."
Alexander-Arnold said the Portuguese forward was "someone who lit up the room when he was in it, adding: "I shared the dressing room with him for five years - amazing memories on and off the pitch. It goes without saying he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and the player he was."
"I've been around him, his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his amazing parents and his amazing children. It's truly, truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that. It's something you never expect."
Though Trent's status on Merseyside has changed since his journey from boy to man with the club he grew up supporting, the reaction from Liverpool fans to his speech has been mostly positive, with one X user commenting: "Must have been very hard for Trent to even play after finding out the news. Never mind to do media duties, but he delivered a heartfelt, touching tribute to Diogo."
A second comment read: "I could never hate this guy," while a third user wrote: "Beautiful, Trent." Meanwhile, a fourth remarked: "Keep your head up lad, feel for him." A fifth concluded: "The level of hatred I had for Trent when he left was crazy, after everything that's happened this week however all I care about is his wellbeing."
Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists, helping the club to a Premier League title and cementing a legacy that will never be forgotten. A common theme within everyone's tributes towards the forward was that he lit up every room he walked into, and he will forever be remembered for the smile he wore and projected onto others.