Liverpool players started arriving for pre-season today in Kirkby following Jota's death last week
Floral tributes for Diogo Jota at Liverpool's Axa Training Centre
Floral tributes for Diogo Jota at Liverpool's Axa Training Centre(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool players arriving at pre-season training this morning were met with a sea of tributes to their former teammate Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. An initial batch of players were due to return to training last Friday, but the squad was granted extra time off in the wake of Jota's tragic death.
Diogo and Andre were killed in a car accident in Spain on Thursday July 3, sparking an outpouring of grief from across the football world and among his team-mates and friends at Liverpool. The brothers were laid to rest on Saturday July 5 at Matriz de Gondomar church in their hometown, just 7km east of Porto. Members of the public lined the streets outside the church to pay their respects.
Alongside family members and loved ones, Liverpool FC and international players, as well as members of the football community from around the globe, attended the service. This weekend, residents in the Portuguese town where Diogo and Andre grew up have also continued to pay tribute.
Tributes have also been left outside the players entrance to the AXA Training Centre on Arbour Lane in Kirkby. Several scarfs and bouquets of flowers had been placed on the area of artificial grass where the entrance is.
Two banners were hung up paying tribute to Diogo Jota
Two banners were hung up paying tribute to Diogo Jota(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
There were also balloons displaying number 20, Liverpool shirts, red roses and a Playstation controller, in tribute to Jota’s love of video games.
Two banners had also been hung up on the fence. One said “RIP Diogo, YNWA 20” and another said: “Diogo Jota RIP. You’ll Never Walk Alone. Forever a Red.”
A smaller collection of tributes, including a pink Everton away shirt, were also left outside the visitors entrance to the training ground on Simonswood Lane.
Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson and Conor Bradley were among the players pictured arriving for training.
Those who are present today will be expected to undergo fitness tests and gym work as they are assessed by medical staff ahead of the new season. The club are also expected to take a decision over the first friendly of the summer, which is scheduled to take place against Preston North End on Sunday (July 13).
Jeremie Frimpong arriving at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre this morning
Jeremie Frimpong arriving at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre this morning
That game is set to be aired live on ITV, with Preston currently preparing in anticipation that it will go ahead. Both the Championship club and the broadcaster, however, will be guided by Liverpool and respect any decision they make.
The Reds are scheduled to fly out to Hong Kong and Japan. Liverpool will face AC Milan at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on July 26 before travelling to Yokohama to take on J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos at the Nissan Stadium on July 30.
Their season gets underway properly on August 10 when they face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley.
As tributes continue to pour in for Jota, a book of condolences remains open at Anfield. Supporters and members of the public can sign the physical book in the Anfield Road Stand reception area today until 8pm.
Liverpool has also made an online version available for fans across the globe.
Diogo got married just two weeks ago to his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso. The couple had three children together.
The forward signed for Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £41m. The 28-year-old began his career in his native Portugal and spent time at Atletico Madrid, in Spain, before coming to England.
Diogo played an important role throughout his five years with the Reds, including scoring six times in Liverpool's recent Premier League-winning season. In total, Jota found the net 65 times in 182 appearances.
You can leave your own tribute to Jota below.