The Liverpool boss was speaking in his first full interview since the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
A Liverpool fan poses for a photo with a poster commemorating Andre Silva and Diogo Jota prior to the pre-season friendly match between Preston North End.
Liverpool FC players, staff and fans have paid tribute to Diogo Jota as they play their first match since his death.
(Image: Matt McNulty, Getty Images)
Arne Slot has made a heartfelt commitment that Liverpool will forever hold Diogo Jota in their hearts as the team gears up for their first match since the tragic passing of the player and his brother Andre Silva.
The siblings were involved in a fatal road traffic accident earlier this month while travelling through Spain to board a ferry to the UK, ahead of Liverpool's pre-season preparations.
Anfield has since become a place of mourning, with countless tributes placed outside the stadium by fans, Liverpool players, staff, and members of the public.
In a touching gesture, Liverpool confirmed on Friday that they would be retiring the number 20 shirt across all levels of the club in honour of Jota, with several tributes planned before what is set to be an emotionally charged warm-up game against Preston North End on Sunday afternoon.
Ahead of the fixture, Liverpool manager Slot expressed: "We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go. Maybe especially in difficult moments.
Diogo Jota of Liverpool poses for a photograph with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League.
Diogo Jota passed away aged 28.
(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"But in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts. To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done.
"I think what I take comfort in (is that) in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything. A champion for his family, which is the main and most important thing, because he got married.
"A champion for his country because he won the Nations League, (with) a country that he cared about so much, because he also wore the flag when we had celebrations. And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League."
Slot added: "The first feeling we all have is of sadness. The second feeling that comes to my mind is pride. I think his parents and (Jota's wife) Rute can be so proud of the player and the person he was – mainly the person.
"I've spoken to many of his team-mates, I've spoken to many staff members, and they all rate him so high and all say how nice of a person he was. That he was always himself. So they should and will be very proud if they could hear what all his team-mates and all the staff members would say about him.
"Second of all, I think our fans can be so proud about the players we have at this club. They've seen them winning the league, that was a great achievement, but what they did in the last week with the togetherness they had, how they conducted themselves when we were in Portugal together, the fans couldn't have asked for more from our players when it comes to how great human beings they are.
Arne Slot, head coach and his wife paying tribute to Diogo Jota
Arne Slot, head coach and his wife paying tribute to Diogo Jota(Image: (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
"Those are the two emotions. Of course, the first emotion of sadness is much stronger than the one of being proud. But it's the both of them."
In light of the recent events, Liverpool decided to proceed with Sunday's match at Preston following discussions among the players and coaching staff, with Slot explaining that Jota's memory served as an inspiration for the team.
In a conversation with LFC TV, the Liverpool manager expressed: "Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened. But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.
"What I've said to the players, I can say it here as well. It's very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate (for) what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there's a wrong decision?
"And I've said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself, it didn't matter if he was talking to me, to his team-mates, to the staff, he was always himself.
"So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh; if we want to cry we're going to cry. If they want to train they can train, if they don't want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don't think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.
Liverpool's players and staff accompanied Diogo Jota's wife Rute and his family to Anfield on Friday
Liverpool's players and staff accompanied Diogo Jota's wife Rute and his family to Anfield on Friday
(Image: Getty Images)
"Second of all, Jots was the player that if things were really, really, really difficult, I always looked at him and said 'Now we need something special from you'. And he delivered so many times in those moments. I can come up with all of these moments, even before I was here he had many of these moments as well.
"So we are in a very difficult time, so let's try to do what Diogo did so many times. If it's so difficult then try a little bit harder or just keep on going and try to make it work.
"The last thing is that he was the player in our team I would say that mainly with him it was all about the team. And not only the players; also, like I said, the staff. If we want to go through this period we need to do this together."
Slot made his way to Anfield earlier this week alongside his wife Mirjam to offer their personal tributes.
"Both of us felt it was the right thing to do to go there and pay our respects, not only me but definitely also my wife," he explained.
"To pay our respects to him, to his brother, to the family and to see – talking about pride again – the way our fans have shown how much they care about this club.
"After we won the league against Tottenham, how much they love the club, when we were having the parade, this is the club: if you play for this club it's unbelievable when you win things, but in moments of tragedy I think it's also unbelievable what these fans are doing.
"So, the fans cannot have better players to play for them but us as players and staff can't have better fans to support us. But it's not only the fans.
"In the parade, it was only the Liverpool fans I assume. Now this time it was the complete city, it wasn't only Liverpool, it was also the Everton fans. And not only this city but also all around the country and in the world. To represent this club in this city now even means more to me and to my wife than it did before."