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Liverpool's anthem has 'never felt pertinent' after the tragic death of Diogo Jota

It remains one of the most famous mantras in football.

And it will face the ultimate test of what is stands for in the coming weeks and months of the new season. The anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' has never felt so pertinent, given the horrendous circumstances which have now engulfed all those associated with Liverpool FC.

Liverpool are no strangers to tragedy, of course. The 'Hillsborough Disaster' of 1989, when 97 supporters went to an FA Cup semi final and never made it home, remains one of the most defining moments in sporting history.

The intervening decades have enhanced what the club stands for. Sticking together when times get tough, trusting in the abilities of others, and a stoic conviction that better days are ahead.

Fans sign a mural in memory of Liverpool player Diogo Jota, on Sybil Road near Anfield. The club, as well as fans and football as a whole, are in mourning after the 28-year-old Portugal Diogo Jota his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain on Thursday 3rd July.

Liverpool have been mourning the death of their winger (Image: PA)

It might not feel right now like life will ever get easier at Anfield. Because the senseless death of Diogo Jota is unexplainable.

And it might also feel to Arne Slot and his players like returning to work to kick a football about is meaningless. Andy Robertson isn't just a famous millionaire footballer.

He's also a bloke who has the same feelings as me and you, who has just lost one of his best mates. And you don't get over something like this quickly. If at all.

Floral tributes for Diogo Jota at Liverpool's Axa Training Centre

Tributes have flooded in from across the footballing world (Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to a grieving process. And it now means Slot is facing a test no manager should ever have to, but the ultimate one of his leadership skills, nevertheless.

Just a few weeks ago Slot must have felt like life couldn't get any better. He was living it up in Ibiza, soaking up the sun - and adulation of leading his team to the Premier League title.

His club bosses had rewarded him with three new signings, including the capture of Florian Wirtz in a British-record £116m deal. He was looking forward to returning to find a refreshed and enhanced dressing room, eager to start plotting the defence of their crown.

Liverpool star Diogo Jota dead at 28 as football world mourns

But just like that, Slot's world was turned upside down. The issues now facing Slot are complicated and varied.

But perhaps one of the toughest ones will be integrating his new signings into a squad which will feel broken and bereft. Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez would have been relishing linking up with their new team mates.

But have now arrived to find all of them in an intense period of unprecedented mourning. That buzz of excitement which comes ahead of a new campaign, has been replaced with unimaginable sorrow and sadness.

In fact, one of Kerkez's first acts as a Liverpool player was to visit the sea of tributes to Jota outside Anfield and pay his own respects, reflecting on what might have been.

This trio might have known Jota, but they didn't share a dressing room like the rest of Slot's squad did. But as Jota's loss painfully reminded us all, life works in mysterious ways.

And it could well be that recent events actually help Wirtz, Kerkez and Frimpong integrate themselves into the new values they will have to learn to adhere to. Virgil Van Dijk, who knows a thing or two about leading by example, will have a crucial role to play.

But the true one rests with Slot. And we should all wish him luck.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates a shot against Andrey Rublev during the Gentlemen's Singles fourth round match on day seven of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz has a lot going for him (Image: Clive Brunskill, Getty Images)

Where has it all gone wrong for Carlos Alcaraz? Apart from being young, handsome, rich, articulate and stupidly good at tennis, he doesn't have a lot going for him.

Apart from the five grand slam titles, including two Wimbledon triumphs, of course. And watching him strut his stuff at SW19 from the press seats of Centre Court has now become one of the true privileges in sport.

It can't be easy taking the baton from celebrated trio Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal. But Alcaraz has taken the challenge in his stride, meaning the future of tennis is now in exceptionally safe hands.

But the most impressive thing of all about the Spaniard is his attitude. He plays with a smile on his face, and his personality is something others cannot emulate, but can certainly learn from.

GOOD WEEK

Joe Root - The Englishman enhanced his legacy as being one of the true greats with another century, this time against India at Lord's.

Morgan Gibbs-White - The England star sealed a £60m move to Tottenham from Nottingham Forest.

Lachlan Walmsley - The Wakefield Trinity star has agreed a new deal with the Super League club.

BAD WEEK

Christian Horner - The controversial Red Bull chief is looking for a new job after being sacked.

Aryna Sabalenka - The world No.1 suffered more Wimbledon heartbreak after crashing out of the women's semi finals.

Charley Hull - The English golfer had to withdraw from the Evian Championship after collapsing during her first round.

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