Liverpool players have begun returning to pre-season training after the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota.
The 28-year-old, along with his younger brother Andre Silva, 25, died in a car accident last week. Jota had been travelling back to Merseyside by car and ferry, having been advised not to fly due to a recent minor surgery.
Originally, players were scheduled to report back to training last Friday, but the session was postponed out of respect following the accident.
A large group of Liverpool players and staff travelled to Portugal to attend a public wake for Jota and his brother on Friday. The funeral was held on Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar. Club captain Virgil van Dijk and Scotland international Andy Robertson were among those present, carrying floral tributes to honour the two brothers.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot was also part of the delegation. His side is scheduled to play their first pre-season fixture against Preston North End at Deepdale on Sunday, 13 July.
Ongoing Tributes to Jota and Andre Silva
Tributes to Jota and his brother continue to pour in. On Tuesday, Liverpool Women players Grace Fisk and Gemma Bonner laid flowers outside Anfield on behalf of their team, joining a growing memorial that includes messages and tributes at both the stadium and the club’s training ground.
Fans have also been honouring Jota at Molineux, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he played before joining Liverpool in 2020.
In Gondomar, tributes surround the local football academy that bears Jota’s name. A large image outside the academy shows him proudly wearing both the Portugal national team kit and the yellow jersey of his hometown club from his childhood days.
