Arne Slot has spoken of his pride in his team in the wake of Diogo Jota‘s tragic passing, as he commended the football world for the love and care shown.
It has been a month since Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died and there has been an overwhelming show of support from the football community and beyond.
For Liverpool’s players, they have had to navigate a pre-season schedule during an unimaginable period of grief, and Slot’s programme notes ahead of their Anfield return spoke of his pride in them all.
“It will be great to be back at Anfield for the first time since we lifted the Premier League trophy back in May, and we are all looking forward to that,” he penned.
“Of course, we know that this will also be an emotional occasion, being the first time that we have played at home since we lost Diogo.
PRESTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, July 13, 2025: Liverpool fans holding a banner up in memory of Diogo Jota before a pre-season friendly match between Preston North End FC and Liverpool FC at Deepdale. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I know that you will want to pay your tributes before, during and after the games, and I know that we will hear his song ringing out throughout the evening.
“It has been a tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo’s family, his wife, his children and friends.
“We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward. We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.
“Diogo’s passing has had a big impact on us all, but what has been so important has been the love and care shown from the football world, and in particular of course the Liverpool FC community.
HONG KONG - Saturday, July 26, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, wearing a number 20 badge to pay tribute tp Diogo Jota, during the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 pre-season match against AC Milan at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Day Six of the club's Asia Tour. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“At Anfield, at the AXA Training Centre, at Preston North End and on our recent tour of Hong Kong and Japan, we really felt what Diogo meant to everyone, and how together our fans are.
“I want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here, too. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable, but the way they have come together and the way they have conducted themselves, on and off the pitch, is a credit to them and to this football club.
“We really couldn’t have asked more of the boys, and I am extremely proud of them all.”
The Liverpool squad will wear a ‘Forever 20’ emblem on their new kits and stadium jackets for full the season in tribute to Jota, while a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield is in the works.
A grassroots football programme will also be created in Jota’s name as the club endeavour to ensure he will never be forgotten.
* Liverpool’s special Diogo Jota matchday programme can be purchased online here, copies will also be available at the stadium and club stores.