A tearful John Aldridge paid a touching tribute to Diogo Jota in the wake of his tragic passing last week, and admitted he has been able to think of little else since the devastating news broke on Thursday.
The Liverpool forward was killed along with his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash in northern Spain, an unimaginable incident that has left the soccer world in mourning. Both brothers were buried in Gondomar over the weekend, with the majority of the Liverpool squad attending the funeral.
Outside Anfield, tributes continue to pour in, with the club opting to extend the opening hours for the book of condolence, while scarves, shirts and an overwhelming number of messages have been left in homage outside the ground.
Aldridge added to that on Monday when he placed a wreath on behalf of Forever Reds, the club's official former players charity.
Speaking latter on LFCTV's free-to-air tribute show, the former Liverpool striker had to choke back tears as he paid his respects to Jota.
"I’m still numb," he admitted. "I can't get my head around the enormity of what’s happened. From the former players, we’re absolutely smashed; we can’t believe what has happened to one of our players who was a hero.
"Even us, we look up to the team and the manner in which he passed away, you’re looking at his three kids, his wife and his mum and dad. It just rips your heart apart.
Former Liverpool player John Aldridge pays his respects to Diogo Jota outside Anfield this afternoon (Image: Iain Watts, Liverpool ECHO)
"People have come to show respect but counselling themselves as well because they feel they need to do something.
"It happened after Hillsborough as well when the pitch was a sea of red and from other clubs as well. That was so poignant, it was so special under the circumstances.
"This," he added, pointing at the tributes as he fought to contain his emotions. "You come to see it. That’s what supporters do."
Liverpool's players are due to return for preseason training later this week, a reunion Aldridge expects to be incredibly difficult.
Tributes continue to be laid outside Anfield to Jota (Image: Iain Watts, Liverpool ECHO)
"You look at the future, more for his family and what the lads are going through. When they get together it is going to be a massive shock for all of them and I’m sure they will move on in time. But for the present moment in time, it is going to be really tough for them."
Reflecting on the supporters' affection for Jota, Aldridge continued: "He spoke so highly of Liverpool and his love of the city.
"The one thing that over the last three or four days… he has got a fantastic song that they sung, but you can’t get it out of your head.
"It keeps coming back because the song is in your head all the time and I’m thinking about him nearly 24 hours a day because the song keeps coming back and you keep thinking… it’s an iconic song and that’s respect these people and Liverpool fans all over the world have for him."