Liverpool have been getting back to work this week following the sudden and tragic death of Diogo Jota.
Fans had been looking forward to seeing the beginning of pre-season after the Reds did some exciting business in the transfer window.
However, that all turned on its head last Thursday, when the awful news arrived that Jota and his brother Andre Silva had been killed in a car accident in Spain.
Since then, the grief at Liverpool has been absolute. Jota was a much-loved member of the team, and a huge hit with supporters. His passing has left a gaping wound which will not heal any time soon.
Unfortunately, Liverpool as a club are no strangers to tragedy, and they have dealt with the devastation over Jota’s death as delicately and with as much class as you would expect.
The club continued with their tributes for the No. 20 on Thursday, with current and former players such as Thiago Alcantara offering poignant reactions.
Diogo Jota pictured pointing his fingers to the sky during a Premier League game between Liverpool and West Ham United.
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool post moving new tribute to Diogo Jota
It has been a surreal experience over the past week as Liverpool, the players and fans have come together to remember a truly special person.
That continued on Thursday, as Liverpool posted a video entitled ”A friend to everyone’ | Diogo Jota’s special impact off the field’ to their YouTube channel.
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The video was designed to celebrate Jota the person, and featured many brilliant clips of the Portuguese interacting with his teammates in off-pitch settings.
Liverpool also posted the six-and-a-half-minute clip on Instagram, where Thiago led a host of current and former players in giving their reactions.
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“He will always take us to victory,” said Thiago, referencing the 28-year-old’s iconic song.
Meanwhile, former vice-captain James Milner posted a hashtag of the number 20, while Ibrahima Konate added a series of heart and dove emojis.
Former and current captain Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dijk also left heart emojis as the pain of Jota’s passing continues to impact those he played with at Liverpool.
Liverpool set to honour Jota at friendly
After Liverpool consulted players and staff on their return to pre-season training, the friendly match against Preston North End on Sunday will go ahead.
The Reds are set to travel to Deepdale for a 3pm kick-off which is going to be a test for everyone involved.
There are set to be further tributes to Jota on what is Liverpool’s first ever match without the 28-year-old.
It remains to be seen what the Reds – and indeed Preston – decide to do to honour Jota, but it will be an emotional and upsetting, but necessary, hurdle to overcome.
As Liverpool’s latest tribute shows, Diogo was a sparkling man, a brilliant teammate and a superbly loved player. He will always be remembered as such.