Graham Potter made a touching gesture for late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota during West Ham’s first day back at pre-season training.
West Ham United boss Graham Potter welcomed his players back for pre-season training at Rush Green with a depleted squad.
It comes just days after tragic news at Liverpool rocked the football world.
Reds ace Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash that sent shockwaves of sorrow across the game.
The Lamborghini Liverpool’s number 20 was travelling in crashed, killing 28-year-old newly-wed father-of-three Jota and his younger brother.
The scenes struck a chord with West Ham fans after the crash which Michail Antonio has admitted could have claimed his life back in December.
Antonio’s Ferrari came off the road in terrible weather at Epping Forest and he suffered a broken leg in four places.
But while Antonio admits he counts his blessings every day to have survived, Liverpool are mourning the loss of their forward.
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The Hammers have witnessed how the football world rallies around in times of difficulty and tragedy.
West Ham responded in kind as Liverpool grieve for Jota.
Tributes laid for Liverpool star Diogo Jota at Anfield following his tragic death
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The Irons put out a message of condolence after the confirmation of Jota’s untimely death.
West Ham’s players, including one of Jota’s old teammates, paid their tributes too.
Now the club’s manager has arranged his own touching tribute to Liverpool’s fallen hero.
What Potter did for late Liverpool star Jota on West Ham’s first day back was pure class.
Potter showed his ruthless side released four veteran West Ham players this summer.
Loan players Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson then joined Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings in departing the London Stadium.
What Potter did for Jota on West Ham’s first day was pure class
Antonio’s future remains uncertain after talks over a new deal hit an impasse.
But the Hammers have allowed Antonio to continue to use the club’s facilities until his future is settled one way or another.
A number of international players were also not back for pre-season training having been given extended breaks.
So there were a number of familiar faces missing – although loanees such as Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet, George Earthy and Freddie Potts returned to bump up the numbers.
Diogo Jota in action for Liverpool against West Ham
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Potter arranges Jota tribute at West Ham’s Rush Green
The entire football world has been showing its respects towards Jota and Liverpool.
And Potter made a classy move as the football world mourns a tragic loss, with the Hammers boss showing the kind of leadership and empathy fans of both West Ham and Liverpool will be proud of.
Rush Green was described by West Ham as a ‘hive of activity’ with the first-team squad returning ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The players were put through medical testing followed by a first training session on the pitches in the afternoon.
But before taking to the pitches, Potter asked the Hammers squad and staff to gather for a minute’s silence in memory of Liverpool and Portugal winger Jota and his brother and fellow footballer Andre Silva following their desperately tragic passing.
The jury may still be out on Potter at West Ham heading into next season.
But the 50-year-old certainly has the right morals and priorities to be a Hammer after his respectful gesture.
Pictures on West Ham’s website and social media show the squad gathering in a circle with their heads bowed for the sombre moment.