Liverpool players have begun returning to the club for pre-season training following the tragic death of their team-mate Diogo Jota.
The 28-year-old forward, along with his younger brother André Silva, 25, died in a car accident while travelling back to England ahead of the new season. Jota had been advised by doctors not to fly due to recent minor surgery and was making the journey by car and ferry when the accident occurred.
The first group of players had been scheduled to report back for training last Friday, but those plans were understandably postponed following the devastating news.
In a show of unity and mourning, a significant number of Liverpool players and staff travelled to Portugal to attend a public wake for Jota and his brother on Friday.
The funeral was held the next day in their hometown of Gondomar, with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Scotland international Andy Robertson among those who carried floral tributes.
Manager Arne Slot also led members of the club’s delegation in paying their respects.
Liverpool are due to begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Preston North End at Deepdale on Sunday, 13 July, though the tone around the club remains subdued in light of the recent loss.
Tributes have continued to pour in for Jota and his brother. Outside Anfield, floral arrangements, scarves, and handwritten messages continue to grow in number, with Liverpool Women’s players Grace Fisk and Gemma Bonner also laying a tribute on behalf of their team.
Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, was a beloved figure both at Anfield and at his former club. Fans have been leaving tributes outside Wolves’ Molineux Stadium, remembering a player who made a lasting impression during his time there.
In Gondomar, the football academy where Jota once played — now named in his honour — has become a focal point for local tributes.
A large mural outside the facility shows him proudly wearing the red of Portugal and the yellow kit of his childhood club, symbolising his journey from a local star to an international icon.
The loss of Jota and his brother has left a deep void, not only at Liverpool but across the footballing world. As the club prepares to move forward, the memory of their teammate will undoubtedly remain at the heart of the team throughout the upcoming season.