Liverpool players, Preston stars and fans paid tribute to tragic forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who were killed in a car crash in Spain
15:19, 13 Jul 2025Updated 15:21, 13 Jul 2025
Liverpool's players pay tribute to Diogo Jota before their friendly game against Preston North End
Liverpool's players pay tribute to Diogo Jota before their friendly game against Preston North End(Image: ITV Sport)
Liverpool's squad paid heartfelt tributes to Diogo Jota ahead of their first match following the devastating news of the forward's tragic death.
Jota, 28, lost his life in a car accident in northern Spain on July 3, along with his brother Andre Silva, 25, leaving the football community in mourning for the ex-Wolves star. Anfield has become a shrine to Jota, adorned with an array of bouquets, scarves and t-shirts, while similar tributes have been laid at his former stomping ground, Molineux.
However, it was at Preston North End's Deepdale where the outpouring of emotion was most palpable on Sunday. Reds supporters brought along Jota flags, t-shirts and scarves, and his song echoed around the stadium.
Preston had created a special complimentary matchday programme in memory of both Jota and Andre, and renditions of Preston's anthem 'Can't Help Falling In Love' and Liverpool's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' filled the air before kick-off.
Led by captain for the day Mohamed Salah, Liverpool took to the pitch for a solemn minute's silence prior to the game, with all players donning black armbands in respect, reports the Mirror.
Preston and Liverpool players observe a minute's silence for Diogo Jota
Preston and Liverpool players observe a minute's silence for Diogo Jota(Image: AFP or licensors)
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Earlier, Reds manager Arne Slot had spoken about how the club will forever hold Jota in their hearts as they return to the pitch, something he feels the Portuguese would have wanted.
Slot said: "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.
A Liverpool fan holding a banner in tribute of Diogo Jota
A Liverpool fan holding a banner in tribute of Diogo Jota(Image: PA)
"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 teammates, to the staff, he was always himself.
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"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."