Grief is something that comes in many forms. Sometimes it will hit you like a ton of bricks and you will crumble.
Other times it will be a slow burner that builds up and then brings you down. Many will feel fine for a while then out of nowhere get a dose of it and tears will flow. Who knows what the families of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva are going through.
It’s unimaginable unless you’ve experienced it. Certainly different for them when it is so unexpected and so shocking. Both so young with so much life ahead of them and they’ve left so much behind.
Their loved ones will be in such a dark place but one day for them the clouds will clear. Jota will be remembered as a Liverpool legend. The tributes continue to pour in and one day his family will be able to look back proudly at how loved he was.
We will all experience grief at some stage in life. If you’ve somehow managed to escape it then lucky you but, I’m sorry to say, it will come one day.
Andrew Robertson paying tribute to Diogo Jota on Tuesday
Andrew Robertson paying tribute to Diogo Jota on Tuesday (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool fans will have varying levels of grief due to the loss of one of their beloved players. If you’re a diehard Red and you have been able to deal with it fine, then don’t feel guilty about it. That’s okay.
If you’re a fan who has been struggling then don’t worry either. It’s a normal reaction. Just do what you need to.
But you know what you shouldn’t feel guilty about? Enjoying watching your team play on Sunday when they line up against Preston.
Don’t stifle a celebration for a goal, don’t dampen your displeasure at one conceded. Because you know what Jota and his brother loved? The emotions of football.
Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota will be fondly remembered (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
The ecstasy of scoring and winning. It was, no doubt, a job for them at times and huge pressure comes with playing the sport professionally.
But they will have loved it and they’ll have wanted you to love it. So don’t feel guilty about singing from the stands or jumping up and down at home.
Or if you’re not in the mood for it then don’t worry about that either. If watching the Reds will make you a bit upset then leave it alone for a while.
But football is a great release from reality and sometimes we all need a break from reality to get by. There’s no right or wrong way to deal with this horrible tragedy.
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Chelsea could pocket over £100m if they beat PSG tomorrow in the Club World Cup final. And some people thought this might be a flash in the pan tournament for football?
The Club World Cup is here to stay and expect it to happen as often as FIFA want it to with the clubs fully behind it.
The riches on offer will make those not involved look on enviously no doubt, especially when the Blues are able to balance their books better with a big prize pot.
It is also why when managers start moaning about fixture scheduling by the TV companies or the amount of games this season we should point them in the direction of their bosses.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Enzo Maresca celebrate after Chelsea's victory versus Fluminense in the Club World Cup
Tosin Adarabioyo and Enzo Maresca celebrate after Chelsea's victory versus Fluminense in the Club World Cup (Image: Getty Images)
It’s them who sign up to all these contracts, especially in the Premier League. Player welfare and concern for the fans only matters when it suits.
Onside
Arsenal signing Christian Norgaard in a cut price deal. Squad depth and building.
Offside
Manchester United giving away Marcus Rashford’s shirt number before he’s even left the club.